The reign of nasty judges is over, says the new queen of Sunday night TV Samantha Barks (we think she means you, Simon Cowell!)

• TV judges are becoming more caring and supportive, writes ALISTAIR FOSTER 
• West End musicals veteran Samantha Barks, who judges on new ITV celebrity contest All Star Musicals starting tonight, thinks that can only be a good thing
• ‘Something I love about the show is the positivity’, Barks told the Mail on Sunday
• Stars include weatherman Alex Beresford and Coronation Street’s Lisa George

From Strictly to The X Factor, the merciless TV talent show judge who savages contestants has been a love/hate figure for audiences for decades.

But their days may be numbered – as judging panels become more caring and supportive.

West End star Samantha Barks, one of the judges on ITV’s new celebrity contest All Star Musicals which starts tonight, says the trend for stinging jibes from celebrities such as Simon Cowell will now give way to warmth and empathy.

Samantha Barks, pictured on the red carpet in February, thinks primetime TV is getting nicer

Simon Cowell said he’s got unfinished business in Hollywood – and ‘wishes’ he made Sing (file)

TV presenter Michaela Strachan (right) is one of the celeb contests on ITV’s All Star Musicals

After coming third in the BBC talent series I’d Do Anything in 2008, the 31-year-old, who went on to star in the film version of Les Miserables, said she understood the pressures that hopefuls face performing on television.

…AS SIMON PURSUES HOLLYWOOD DREAM

Simon Cowell (pictured) was inspired by smash-hit musical Sing: ‘I wish I’d made it’

Simon Cowell plans to conquer Hollywood by creating his own animated movie series. 

The 62-year-old X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent supremo told The Mail on Sunday that he dreams of echoing the success of the blockbuster cartoon Sing. 

He said: ‘It’s the one thing I have never done and I’d love to do. When I watch those Sing movies, as much as I love them, I feel sick. Because it’s like, “God, I wish I’d made those.”’

While Cowell, worth an estimated £460 million, said developing and producing an animated hit would be a dream come true, he added: ‘These things are never easy. You have to be persistent. I keep going until I wear somebody down.’ 

A source said: ‘Simon’s been successful in every other field in music and on television. Now he’s determined to crack Hollywood.’

She vowed that contestants on All Star Musicals – weatherman Alex Beresford, actress Jacqueline Jossa, wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan, Coronation Street’s Lisa George, James Bond actor Colin Salmon and rugby star Danny Care – will not face withering put-downs from the judges.

Asked if the show would veer away from sharp-tongued critics such as Nigel Lythgoe, Craig Revel Horwood and Lord Sugar, she replied: ‘Yes, it’s a big part of the show. 

‘Something I love about the show is the positivity. It’s very much a positive space.

‘I mean we are honest and there’s times when we will say “You know, that could have been stronger”, but the more important thing is the positives.

‘It’s fun, for me, as I think that’s such a beautiful part of the show. 

‘It’s about making people be their best selves and do their best performances.

‘We’re sitting there, the three of us on the panel, giving so much love from our seats. We’re waiting for them to succeed, not waiting for them to fail. 

‘We are in a world where the care of each other is now more prominent in our mindset.’

Each performer will be given ‘the ultimate musical theatre masterclass’ as they vie to be voted All Star Musicals champion. 

Their mentors and judges on the show will also include stage legend Elaine Paige and Aladdin star Trevor Dion Nicholas. 

The celebrities will perform musical hits with a West End ensemble and orchestra, including songs from Frozen, Les Miserables, 42nd Street and Hamilton.

Beresford clashed with Piers Morgan live on Good Morning Britain over Meghan Markle’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, leading to Morgan storming off set and later quitting ITV.

Asked what his former colleague would make of his foray into stage musicals, Beresford quipped: ‘He’s going to think I’m fantastic.’

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