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Entertainment
Simon Duke

Starstruck confirm Shania Twain has replaced Sheridan Smith on judging panel of ITV show

In some very surprising TV news, it's been confirmed that Shania Twain has replaced Sheridan Smith on the panel of ITV talent show Starstruck.

The Saturday night show became a real guilty pleasure for millions of viewers every weekend when it launched on the channel earlier this year, giving tribute acts a chance to honour their music heroes, with soundalikes emulating everyone from Lady Gaga to Lionel Richie and Freddie Mercury to Celine Dion.

The first series, which saw Sheridan sit on the panel along with Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight and Jason Manford as Olly Murs hosted, was won by Cher tribute Rachael Hawnt, who took home a £50,000 cash prize. Earlier this month it was announced that Sheridan had quit her role on Starstruck due to 'scheduling conflicts' with a spokesperson for ITV saying: "We would have loved Sheridan to have returned to the show but she has sadly had to decline due to scheduling conflicts with a new acting project.

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"The team absolutely loved working with her, she was a fantastic judge and provided some invaluable feedback to the contestants. We wish her all the best."

With Sheridan gone, fans are very, very excited by the news that Shania, the multi-platinum megastar responsible for giving the world classics like You're Still The One and Man I Feel Like A Woman, has joined the panel in her place, Shania's involvement was confirmed in a statement from ITV on Monday afternoon, which read: "he Queen of Country Pop is coming to ITV as Shania Twain takes her place on the panel for the forthcoming second series of Starstruck, which returns to ITV and ITVX in 2023.

'International superstar Shania Twain is a five-time GRAMMY winner and one of music’s most renowned trailblazers. With five albums released and more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, Twain remains the top-selling female country pop artist of all time.

'The Canadian singer-songwriter will join the Saturday night entertainment format, which sees members of the public transformed into music icons. Shania will sit on the show’s judging panel alongside returning stars Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight and Jason Manford. Olly Murs will once again host the show.'

Many fans were left in serious shock by the news, with one tweeting: "Shania Twain's joining Adam, Beverley & Jason as a judge on Starstruck for S2.... that's huge," and another reacting: "Cant wait to hear Shania Twain and @adamlambert performing together!!!"

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