Julie Andrews played the singing governess in the 1965 film

The theatre impresario has teamed up with the BBC to make a Popstars-style talent show to find an unknown for the role Julie Andrews played in the film.

The move follows reports that Scarlett Johansson turned down the part in the stage revival, planned for late 2006.

The BBC has confirmed it is in "early development talks" about the programme with the Phantom of the Opera composer.

David Ian, who is co-producing the musical with Lord Lloyd-Webber, said he hoped the show - which has the working title How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? - would "break new ground".

"We think this could be an interesting way of casting someone who is not known yet but who has enormous talent," he told the Sunday Times.

The show will feature a series of auditions, with the winner offered the role of the singing governess for the entire first run.