John Barrowman and Denise Van Outen not going Over The Rainbow

Both John Barrowman and Denise Van Outen have been dropped from Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest BBC talent show searching for Dorothy and Toto to appear in his new production of The Wizard of Oz.

Actor and singer John Barrowman, who has appeared on all of Lord Lloyd Webber's shows, will not be appearing in the show due to other commitments.

But days before filming starts Miss Van Outen was allegedly told she could not be a judge on Over The Rainbow because she is six months pregnant with her first child. She will be replaced on the panel by Charlotte Church, who is 12 years her junior.

The decision will plunge the corporation into a fresh sexism row as her little girl is not due until May and the show starts in March.

A BBC spokesman said: “Over The Rainbow is a brand new show for BBC1 with a completely new line-up of judges. None of the other five previous judges will be taking part. We expect to be revealing the new judging line up in the next few days”.

A source at the BBC said Miss Van Outen may be included in the show in some way.