Blur bassist Alex James and hip-hop star Goldie will compete for the chance to conduct the BBC Concert Orchestra later this summer.

Actors David Soul and comedian Bradley Walsh will also take part in the new BBC programme Maestro.

Over the summer months the stars of music and screen will do battle in a number of challenges – starting with a week long ‘baton camp’.

A panel of judges and a live studio audience will whittle down the celebrities during a series of live studio performances.

The eventually winner will take to the conductors podium in front of 30,000 people in Hyde Park as part of the Last Night of the Proms.

As previously reported, James said yesterday that he would be surprised if Blur didn’t get back together.

(by Jason Gregory)