The Winner Takes It All!- What you need to know about Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream, from judges to host and prize

With its newest talent show, Mamma Mia I Have A Dream, which is destined to make two of its competitors famous, ITV1 has a potential success on its hands.

The series will feature 14 aspirants fighting for a position in the West End production of the iconic Abba musical, which has been running in London for over 24 years and produced a 2008 film adaptation starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, and Colin Firth.

They will, however, face a series of obstacles along the road, with the programme poised to put their singing, dancing, and acting abilities to the test in order to impress the judging panel.

Everything you need to know about the new series is right here.

What happens in Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream?

Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream will chronicle the search for two newbies to play Sophie and Sky in the show’s West End staging.

The lucky couple will be picked from a group of 14 hopefuls – seven males and seven females – who took part in the series, which was shot in Greece, where the musical is set.

In order to avoid the weekly eliminations, participants will be assessed on their on-stage chemistry with their co-stars in addition to singing, dancing, and acting.

The remaining contenders will finally face off in a live final, where the public vote will select who will portray Sophie and who will play Sky, with the lucky winners expected to join the cast early next year.

The approach is similar to earlier BBC series such as I’d Do Anything, in which Jodie Prenger (now Glenda Shuttleworth in Coronation Street) was chosen among the hopefuls to portray Nancy in a West End production of Oliver!

Jessie Buckley, the show’s runner-up, has had a highly successful career on theatre and cinema, receiving a best supporting actress nod for her portrayal in 2021’s The Lost Daughter.

Who are the presenters and judges of Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream?

The event is hosted by Zoe Ball, and the judges include singer Jessie Ware, comedian and broadcaster Alan Carr, and Glee actor Amber Riley.

Samantha Barks, the fourth member of the panel, is a graduate of BBC One’s I’d Do Anything, finishing third and going on to have a successful West End career that has included playing Elsa in Frozen as well as appearing in the stage version of Les Miserables and the 2010 film adaptation.

Samantha also just gave birth to her first child, announcing the birth of her baby only days before the release of Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream.

Judy Craymer, the creator of Mamma Mia, will also be on hand to mentor the aspirants as they compete for West End success.

Who is taking part in Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream?

Here are the contestants you’ll be watching over the coming weeks.

• Desmonda, 27, from Indonesia
• Esme, 22, from London
• Leah, 20, from Redcar
• Maddy, 20, from Bolton
• Maisie, 22, from Margate
• Stephanie, 22, from St Albans
• Stevie, 22, from Glasgow
• Callum, 22, from Oxfordshire
• Craig, 26, from Perthshire
• Darcy, 23, from Hampshire
• Marcellus, 36, from High Wycombe
• Owen, 25, from Belfast
• Tobias, 22, from Somerset
• Zachkiel, 21, from London

How to watch Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream

Mamma Mia: I Have A Dream begins on ITV1 on Sunday night at 6pm.

If you miss it, you’ll be able to catch up via ITVX.