Popstar to Operastar (2010–2011) watch online

Popstar to Operastar is a British television programme in which pop stars were trained to sing opera. The show began airing on ITV on 15 January 2010 at 9pm. The show was repeated on TV3 Ireland on Saturday evening. The programme was produced by Renegade Pictures.

As a singing competition, it featured appropriate judges: Mexican tenor Rolando Villazón, Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins and rock singer Meat Loaf, as well as TV home-interiors expert Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. Villazón and Jenkins also mentored contestants, giving them the songs to sing during the live shows. Loaf and Llewelyn-Bowen were critic-judges who talked about entrants' performances. However, after the first series it was announced Loaf and Llewelyn-Bowen would not be returning as judges. Their replacements were confirmed to be actor and opera-director Simon Callow and classical singer/violinist Vanessa-Mae. Presenters were confirmed as Alan Titchmarsh and Myleene Klass, with the non-operatic Dies Irae from Verdi's Requiem as the theme tune. For the second series, Titchmarsh did not return. Winner of the first series was Darius Campbell, and of the second was Joe McElderry.

The first episode of series 2 brought in 5.98 million viewers, bringing the show its highest ratings to date. Each week the results show featured a guest performance, normally an opera star singing to promote their upcoming album. For every vote cast, money was donated to the Nordoff-Robbins charity. The winner also received a payment for a charity of their choice.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)