I don't know whether truth is stranger than fiction, but it's certainly less cliched. The more I hear about Rock Rivals, the more I think I understand why Cowell washed his hands of it. In the new show, a character apparently based on him is depicted as a drunken womaniser. Corrie star Sean Gallagher steps into those vertiginous trousers the new X Factor-inspired drama Rock Rivals.

Sean plays power-crazed record producer Mal Faith, and Michelle Collins is his rock chick wife Karina. The third judge is, wait for it, an Irishman. The show kicks off on ITV1 at the end of the month, and just like on The X Factor, viewers will can choose the winning act by voting online. Eeesh, telly really has eaten itself.

Oh and there's a rumour that Cowell may release the final song. Can't wait.

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