Finding shining lights is so tough
GARY Barlow has admitted it’s been hard to find fresh talent for his show Let It Shine.
The Take That star, 46, says so many potential stars have already appeared on other TV shows.
He said: “I was afraid of the audition process. The idea that we’d get nobody of any kind of talent was worrying.
“There are a lot of shows on TV asking for talent and you’re hoping this talent is going to come from somewhere. “You’re hoping they haven’t done Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor or The Voice, and for these people to be good because I’ve got to spend the next year with them.
“It’s an enormous relief that we’ve found talent.”
Gary also said it was important to keep the show open to singers who have already appeared on stage.
He added: “The only way we can have a fair audition is to open it to everyone – people who have never been on the stage, to people who have been on shows. “Naturally, the people that have been on shows are great and they’ve got through to the live rounds.”
Gary believes those who have appeared on stage will bring great benefits to the less experienced singers.
He said: “I see it as a huge positive moving forward. If you’ve got someone in a five-piece group who’s had experience on the West End stage, they’re going to help that group learn about what they’re doing so much.” The pop legend said Let It Shine is his biggest risk and he is feeling the pressure.
The BBC One show, which follows his quest to find actors for a Take That musical, is up against ITV’s The Voice.
Gary said: “We’re a brand new show. Everyone’s comparing us to The Voice, which is a worldwide brand.
“This is my show, it comes with its own responsibilities and pressures.
“It’s the riskiest thing I’ve ever done because after the final we’re expecting people to go into theatres to be thrilled by it.”