Cowell unveils Duets show

Pop mogul Simon Cowell today announced details of his next TV project, called Star Duets.

The ITV1 show will feature musically challenged celebrities who team up with international pop stars to sing live for the public vote.

Each week they will be set a musical theme from which to learn a new song and a panel of judges and viewers will decide which duet is best. An ITV spokeswoman said the show was still at the early "ideas" stage but likely to be screened next year.

Cowell said he already had a line-up of "surprising" star guests in mind, adding: "There may be a few raised eyebrows when we announce who we've got."

ITV director of programmes Nigel Pickard added: "This is a very exciting new format. The X Factor has defied the odds to bring in even bigger audiences this year than last. We're delighted to be working with Simon on this."