Sneak Preview: Rock Rivals

We've had a sneak preview of ITV1's new drama Rock Rivals and it is trashy TV at its best.

The show is basically Footballers' Wives meets The X Factor, which is hardly surprising as it's made by the same team as the soccer-set drama and Simon Cowell was involved as an advisor on the series.

Ex-EastEnder Michelle Collins and ex-Corrie regular Sean Gallagher star as feuding couple and rival talent show judges, Karina and Malcolm Faith.

Malcolm's character has clearly been based on Simon Cowell - he even uses some of the same putdowns (though his trousers are much better!). However, perhaps it was some of the character's other traits, including womanising and general nastiness towards some of the contestants, that had something to do with Cowell's reported decision to distance himself from the series.

The contestants on the Rock Rivals talent series include heartthrob Luke Ellis, who is hiding startling secrets about his mother and the unstable Bethany Hopkins, who is being egged on by her pushy mum Lynette (played by the brilliant Alison Newman who was Footballers' Wives' Hazel). 

There's adultery, self-harm and a psychotic fan who has fashioned himself a replica of one of the contestants out of a blow-up doll - and that's all before end of part one!

Rock Rivals is also unique in that viewers will get a chance to vote online to decide which of the fictional contestants wins the talent show. The producers have filmed two endings and we'd also put money on the winning star topping the charts for real.

With recent ITV shows including The Palace and Moving Wallpaper/Echo Beach failing to attract massive audiences, we think Rock Rivals is set to turn things around and be a massive ratings hit. Watch out for more details on this series soon.

Are you looking forward to this series? Are you a fan of trashy dramas or do you prefer your shows a little classier? Tell us what you think...