Harry Hill is seeing stars this week when he hosts a revamped version of classic talent show Stars in Their Eyes on ITV.
Harry revealed to What’s on TV that, when he was first asked to consider hosting the new six-part series, he had an unorthodox reaction:
“When the idea of reviving Stars in Their Eyes was first put to me I burst out laughing – which is always a good sign!”
A fan of original format, Harry adds: “What I’ve always liked about the show is meeting the contestants and finding their life quite ordinary, until they announce who they’re going to be, walk through the smoky doors and come out transformed as someone else. I really want to celebrate that, and also muck about in the way I used to with TV Burp.”
It’s been over eight years since we last saw members of the public disappear into a cloud of dry ice to emerge as their favourite music icon. And when the programme is relaunched this Saturday on ITV many of the original elements of the successful series will be in place. Although there will be some of Harry’s unique twists:
“We’ve kept the original theme tune but added words to it, and I’m singing it! Each week I dress up and sing it the style of a different star. There are also a couple of moments where I can’t help but slip into being former hosts Matthew Kelly or Leslie Crowther!”
But will Harry, who was once a contestant on a celebrity version of Stars in Their Eyes back in 1999, be reprising his homage to The Smiths’ lead singer Morrissey?
“I don’t know yet! We have a contestant on doing Morrissey, which might well be a difficult moment for me! I think if I was doing it now I’d be Pharrell with the hat!”
The new series of Stars in Their Eyes gets underway on Saturday 10th January on ITV at 7pm.
