'Superstar' Is "Disgusting": Gavin And Stacey Star Slams Andrew Lloyd Webber

The Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page has lashed out at Andrew Lloyd Webber over his TV talent contest 'Superstar.' The televised show features Andrew Lloyd Webber and Spice Girl Melanie C (aka Sporty Spice) as judges, to find the next West End star to play the role of Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. Joanna criticised Webber for ignoring existing West End stars and argues that the show gives its contestants an easy ride into a tough-to-crack business.

In an interview with The Stage, the 34 year-old actress ranted "There are actors and musical theatre performers who have given their whole lives to the profession because it is their passion, and then you have some bloody van driver on a show [like Superstar] saying "I didn't do this when I was 12 but I wish I had done, but I didn't have the guts. Well, that's your problem, because you obviously didn't have the passion, spirit, drive and the determination to dedicate your whole life to it."

She was particularly unhappy with some of Andrew Lloyd Webber's comments on the show, argued that he had undermined some of the talented actors who have previously worked with him. "You have Andrew Lloyd Webber saying about a U2 song Rory [Taylor] sang - which was performed with no facial expression because he's dead in the eyes - that he did not know any musical theatre star who could sing like that. What about Ramin? He just played the Phantom for you. How insulting. It's disgusting."