IT'S NOW OR NEVER

21 July, 2006 by The_Boss

ITV1 Saturday 22nd July 2006 7:50pm to 8:50pm

What if real life were more like the musicals?

Imagine if you were with a friend or loved one in a very public place and they suddenly started singing and dancing to you, only to be joined in by everyone else that happened to be near you at the time?

It’s Now or Never on ITV1, and hosted by Phillip Schofield, will give one person the chance to make a very public announcement in a truly unique and dramatic way. The star of this warm and feel good show will be making a real song and dance about whatever it is they really want to say – quite literally.

In this Saturday night primetime entertainment programme, produced by September Films, It’s Now or Never brings to life on screen that moment in musicals when someone simply bursts into song in public to tell their particular story and the whole world sings along with them in one big choreographed chorus.

Each episode will follow the journey of the participants as they choose the song that best conveys their message and then takes them through a gruelling eight days of intensive song and dance rehearsals and training. All the contributor has to do is lure their unsuspecting to a pre-selected and very public destination for the most surreal and wonderful experience of their lives.

Filmed in genuine and very recognisable public locations and with up to a hundred professional choreographed dancers and singers waiting in the wings, all playing the role of the everyday public whether it may be a street sweeper, shop owner or a gaggle of local schoolgirls, It’s Now or Never will on cue create that musical moment where our hero delivers their special message in the most public and heartfelt way possible.

Whether the message is one of love, friendship or something more surprising, this extravaganza is something that will both shock and delight the unsuspecting person and everyone else around.

“The show will be vibrant and dramatic and someone somewhere is going to get the surprise of a lifetime.”

ITV1’s Director or Entertainment and Comedy, Paul Jackson.


Alex Cowan is a 25 year old recruitment consultant from Glasgow who is deeply in love with his girlfriend Angela. The couple met when he was 19 and she was 18, with Alex living in Glasgow and Angela in Manchester. After having a long distance relationship for three months, Alex took the plunge and moved down to Manchester to be with her. During this time Alex made a hasty proposal which she accepted despite Alex buying the wrong ring. Soon after, however, they broke up and Alex escaped to America where he started to date other girls but he realised he couldn’t live without her and moved back to Scotland to get her back. The engagement is back on and they are due to be married in December but Alex feels Angela deserves a proper proposal with the right ring. He describes himself as lively, cheeky and a big softie at heart and credits Angela for pushing him and making him a better person. According to her fiancé, Angela is quite bossy and will be totally shocked that Alex has organised and been involved in the show. An old fashioned romantic, he would like to show her that he is not completely useless when it comes to organising something to surprise her with, and giving her the magical proposal he’d always dreamed of.


The Experts

Leigh Miles – Choreographer

Leigh has a wealth of experience working with large and small groups of dancers at the top of their profession as well as with individual artists with little or no experience in dance or movement. Having worked on shows such as ‘Saturday Night with Johnny and Denise’, ‘Record of the Year’, ‘Top of the Pops’ and ‘In the Presence of Julian Clary’ amongst many others, Leigh builds confidence in people’s ability and builds on their strengths, safely and effectively. As a former presenter on ‘Crackerjack’ and presenter of a top ten fitness video, Leigh is happy to be on screen. She still teaches aerobics and dance as well as fronting a band in her local area.


Mary Hammond FRAM, LRAM– Vocal Coach

Mary Hammond is a graduate and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in both singing and piano. She works as a vocal consultant to Cameron Mackintosh Ltd, The Really Useful Group, The Royal National Theatre and other national production companies on West End and touring productions. As well as her continued close involvement with contemporary singers in television, radio and pop and rock groups with major companies, she regularly presents workshops on the integration of acting and singing at international conferences.


The Series has been commissioned for ITV1 by Director of Entertainment and Comedy, Paul Jackson.

Produced by Peter Davey and directed by Angelo Abela, It’s Now or Never is a September Films production for ITV1. Peter Davey is Director of Programmes at September Films.