Simon Cowell's brand-new musical gameshow Walk the Line has made a dramatic change.
According to The Sun, Cowell will step solely behind the camera in order to spend more time with his family, and he's already named a successor on the judging panel: Take That singer Gary Barlow, who Cowell previously worked with on The X Factor.
"This is a situation where I have decided it is right for me to focus on my role as the creator and producer as we build up to the hugely exciting launch.
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"Gary's musical pedigree is second to none – and we have known each other a long time now – so I am delighted he is picking up the baton for me for the first series of Walk the Line. I know he will do a fantastic job," shared Cowell in a statement.
The format itself features a line-up of judges overseeing musical variety acts, who'll be offered a choice each week to cash out and leave or remain in the competition and play for potentially more cash.
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Performers range from bands and choirs, to soloists and duos, with the top two acts of the evening facing this tricky decision.
If they decide to 'walk the line' – stay, in other words – they'll then compete against a new cast of performers during the next episode, and the further they progress the bigger the money pot.
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"We wanted to develop a show which will give the contestants a life-changing cash prize if they win. Each show there will be a champion who must make a vital decision: either cash out then and there or stay in the contest to compete again the following night and have a chance to claim the huge prize," commented Cowell at the time of its announcement.
"It's the kind of decision that will have viewers on the edge of their seats – real event TV. I'm very excited at giving musical talent the opportunity to transform their lives like never before."
Walk The Line will air on ITV and ITV Hub later this year.
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Dan is a freelance entertainment journalist. Beginning his writing career in 2014, Dan's work first graced the pages of cult publications Starburst magazine and Little White Lies before moving onto Total Film, Digital Spy, NME and Yahoo Entertainment.
In the film and TV universe, he kneels at the altar of Jim Carrey, Daniel Plainview, Mike Ehrmantraut and Paulie Walnuts.
