Soapstars
Soapstars is a British talent show that aired on ITV from 3 to 29 September 2001.[1][2] The series featured thousands of contestants auditioning to be cast as part of a new family—consisting of a mother, father and three teenage children—in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.[2][3] The judging panel consisted of drama producer Yvon Grace, casting director Paul de Freitas, and Emmerdale scriptwriter Bill Lyons.[4]
Soapstars | |
---|---|
Genre | Talent show |
Judges | Yvon Grace Paul de Freitas Bill Lyons |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Production | |
Producer(s) | Granada Productions |
Release | |
Original network | ITV |
Original release | 3 September – 29 September 2001 |
Auditions for Soapstars began on 8 June 2001 in Sheffield.[5] British actor's trade union Equity released a statement critical of the series, stating it was "an insulting affront to the men and women in our profession who endure low rates of pay, rejection and humiliation in the course of their work, despite their training, experience, dedication and talent."[1]
The winners of Soapstars were Dee Whitehead (for the role of Maggie Calder), Mark Jardine (for the role of Phil Weston), Elspeth Brodie (for the role of Lucy Calder), Jason Hain (for the role of Craig Calder) and Ruth Abram (for the role of Jess Weston). They initially won three month contracts to appear as the Calder family in Emmerdale, beginning in November 2001.[4][6] Their contracts were later extended, but by August 2002, all the winners had left the show.[7]
See also
- I Wanna Be a Soap Star – American reality television series based on Soapstars
References
- "Equity anger at Soapstars". BBC News. 5 September 2001. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
- "Emmerdale strike over Soapstars denied". BBC News. 1 October 2001. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
- Hodgson, Jessica (20 August 2001). "ITV pins ratings hopes on Soapstars". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
- "Emmerdale's Soapstars to stay". BBC News. 8 November 2001. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
- Wilkes, Neil (8 June 2001). "Soapstars gets underway". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
- "Emmerdale's Soapstar family dumped". CBBC. 9 April 2002. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
- "Emmerdale's Soapstars axed". BBC News. 9 April 2002. Retrieved 26 November 2018.