Tough Judge Charlotte Church

Wednesday 17th March 2010 - 13:00:57

Charlotte Church has vowed to be tough on hopefuls on her new talent show.

The Welsh singer is heading up the judging panel on BBC programme 'Over The Rainbow' - in which they search for a new star to play Dorothy in Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of 'The Wizard of Oz' - and has admitted she won't be a pushover.

She said: "Unless you perform you are going to be sacked.

"It is tough for all of us to say, 'You didn't make the grade' - but that is our industry."

The former child star says contestants will have to develop a thick skin if they want to make it in the showbiz world.

She said on 'This Morning': "This business all over is harsh - the press, the general public. People can say whatever like about you, so you have to be quite tough to start off with.

"I have had some pretty bad reviews in terms of anything I have done in my career, the chat show, albums that I have done, live performances. I tend to disregard them to be honest."

Charlotte will be joined on the panel by actress Sheila Hancock and 'EastEnders' star John Partridge - both of who have appeared in West End stage shows - and Sheila admits she will also be tough on the wannabe Dorothys.

She said: "I'm hoping quite a lot of them will give up the business.

"I mean that quite sincerely. If they can't survive this, they shouldn't be in the business. If you can't take it get out now."

'Over The Rainbow' starts on BBC1 next Friday (26.03.10) and is presented by Graham Norton.