MUMBAI: Over the past few years the music based reality show American Idol has taken US broadcaster Fox from strength to strength. Now the broadcaster is planning a celebrity spinoff of the show.

The twist is that instead of watching gifted unknowns competing viewers will watch famous stars competing for glory on Celebrity Idol. Media reports state that the format company FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment have given the nod. The Idol team of Simon Fuller, Nigel Lythgoe, Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Ken Warwick will produce the project.

Ten famous people go head to head for a $1 million prize, which would go to the winner's charity of choice. It will be interesting to see if Simon Cowell has the guts to make sarcastic remarks about the participants.

Meanwhile, NBC earlier this week announced its latest reality series, I'm a Celebrity But I Want To Be a Pop Star. The show will feature celebs from the worlds of film, television and sports doing their best imitations of rock stars for an audience who will determine their fates.

As far as the Celebrity Idol stunt is concerned Fox exec Mike Darnell was quoted in Daily Variety saying that the plan is to go for the biggest talent possible in terms of the celebrities who would make up the cast.

"We're looking for people who can sing but aren't known for singing" Darnell said. Fox isn't the only network to come up with the bright idea of showcasing the musical chops of celebrities not known for their singing skills.