Alan Carr and Zoe Ball joined by Frozen star for huge new ITV talent show

SHE found fame on TV talent show I’d Do Anything, and now Samantha Barks is being lined up for ITV1 contest Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream.

The singer will have a sense of deja vu as both programmes are about stage wannabes fighting for a place in big reboots of major musicals — only this time around she will be a judge.

After finishing third on BBC show I’d Do Anything in 2008, where singers battled for a part in Oliver!, Samantha has become a West End star.

She has performed in hit musical Les Miserables and is currently playing Elsa in the stage version of Frozen.

A TV insider said: “Bagging her for the new Mamma Mia! show is seen as a real coup by the creators as Samantha has firmly established herself as a real stage star.

“Rather like Cheryl Cole becoming a judge on X Factor, it seems Samantha’s come full circle from a contestant to a judge on a singing competition.

“But she not only brings 15 years of experience with her, she’s also impressed telly bosses with her screen presence on several TV shows.”

Samantha has starred in a string of reality hits including ITV’s Bear Grylls: Mission Survive as well as All Star Musicals, where she got a taste of being a judge.

She’s likely to join funnyman Alan Carr on the I Have A Dream judging panel, with DJ Zoe Ball lined up as host.

As the name suggests, the contest is an Abbafest where men and women will battle to land the lead roles of Sophie and Sky in a new West End production of the musical.

Mamma Mia! the movie, starring Meryl Streep, was set in Greece and the new telly contest will be filmed this spring in Corfu.

The show is likely to air later this year, but before then the creators will probably be appointing one or two more star judges to the panel.

I’ll keep you posted.

KNIGHTS AT VIC

HERE’S the new family moving into ­EastEnders’ most sought-after properly – the Queen Vic.

Making their debut in the BBC One soap this summer, the Knight clan will feature Strictly star Molly Rainford, who I revealed ­earlier this month would be joining the Albert Square cast.

She plays Anna, the youngest daughter of tough-talking dad George, played by James Bond actor Colin Salmon. He’s dating Elaine Peacock, the mum of current landlady Linda (Kellie Bright).

Former Ab Fab actress Harriet Thorpe takes on the recast part of Elaine, who comes to Linda’s aid following her decision to sell the pub after husband Mick’s disappearance.

George’s other daughter Gina is played by Francesca Henry.

Mollie said: “It’s such an iconic show which myself and my family love.”

ANTON DECS AJ’S TELLY BID

STRICTLY judge Anton Du Beke has had a dig at former dance star AJ Pritchard for leaving the BBC One show to become “the new Ant and Dec” with his Love Island brother Curtis.

Discussing their failed plan to move into TV presenting, Anton says: “It was that classic comment recently that AJ and his brother wanted to become the new Ant & Dec – which is great as an ambition.”

On Gabby Logan's Mid Point podcast, he added: “You can’t go and busk it or kid them, same way as you would if you’re a professional sportsman.

"They didn’t start playing last weekend – they’ve been playing since school kids, they’ve developed.”

The nearest AJ and Curtis are getting to Saturday Night Takeaway is a delivery from their local curry house.

Paddy: I’d hit road

PADDY McGUINNESS has repeated his desire to bring back cult comedy Max And Paddy’s Road To Nowhere alongside pal Peter Kay.

The funnyman told me in 2021 the pair had episodes “ready to go” – but they need to find time to fine-tune them.

And a return to comedy would be timely after two of his BBC One shows – Catchpoint and I Can See Your Voice – were axed.

Paddy said: “A scripted comedy show takes a long time. You have got to blank out 12 months of your life.”

The comic also admitted to Capital FM that he doesn’t like to push himself too much.

He said: “These days, I’m inherently lazy. So I like doing as little as possible for as much money as possible.”

Nothing wrong with that.

MEMORIAL BY JASON

ACTOR Jason Watkins and wife Clara Francis hosted a charity preview screening of a new ITV1 film dedicated to their late daughter Maudie, who died from sepsis aged just two.

The film tells her story, including her death on New Year’s Day 2011, since when Jason and designer Clara have been raising aware-ness of the condition.

The couple introduced the film, Jason & Clara: In Memory Of Maudie, to 250 guests last night, and Jason – most recently seen in Channel 5 drama The Catch – said: “Creating this film was an incredibly emotional experience for Clara and me.

“Sepsis is such a difficult condition to diagnose and better awareness among us all, which the film can radiate, can save lives.”

The film will be on ITV1 and ITVX at 9pm tomorrow.