TV presenter Philip Schofield is among famous Josephs

The new search follows Connie Fisher's success as Maria in The Sound of Music after she won a BBC1 show.

The show, called Any Dream will Do, will search for a Joseph for the new Andrew Lloyd Webber production.

Lord Lloyd Webber, an expert panel and viewers will also look for a girl to play the narrator and a Pharaoh/Elvis.

Graham Norton, who hosted How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria, will also host the follow-up show.

Lord Lloyd Webber said: "The success of How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? this summer was a real boost for musical theatre in Britain and I was particularly thrilled with the reaction from schoolchildren up and down the country.

"I cannot wait to get them involved in Any Dream Will Do and to get back into the studio with Graham.

"Joseph started in schools and I am looking for a great school choir - to play in the West End, we need a smashing girl, a great boy and of course a Pharaoh/Elvis."

Mass appeal

BBC1 Controller Peter Fincham said the new show would be "a perfect follow-up" to the televised search for Maria.

"I think this show will have huge appeal for the BBC1 audience," he said.

Lord Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice created the musical which portrays the Biblical story of Joseph, his 11 brothers and the coat of many colours.

The first version, performed in 1968, was commissioned for a London school and was just 15 minutes long.