After the BBC shows ‘I’d Do Anything’, ‘How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria’ and ‘Any Dream Will Do’ showed how TV companies could make hugely popular shows by creating extended plugs for Andrew Lloyd Webber stage productions, ITV have finally got their own addition to the canon starting this weekend.

Superstar will find ALW, Jason Donovan, Mel C and (for no obvious reason) Dawn French sitting in judgement over a string of stage school kids all competing to win the role of the son of God in the upcoming stage revival of Jesus Christ Superstar.

The competing prospective Christs will have to undergo a series of physical and mental tests in the course of the series, including an assault course, novel writing and a ‘who-can-make-the-crispiest-Yorkshire-pudding’ contest.

Not really, they just sing songs from the show and eventually, after weeks of free publicity for Lloyd Webber and his hippy twaddle shout-fest, someone will be crowned No.1 Jesus.

At least winter won’t feel as long.