Simon Cowell to create fictionalised Pop Idol

Simon Cowell is planning to create a fictionalised version of his Pop Idol reality TV talent show for US television.

The show, the first fruit of Cowell's multi-million pound deal with broadcaster Fox, will be set in a fictional Los Angeles drama school.

The series of 14 one-hour shows will end with a live episode in which the winner of the fictional contest will be revealed.

Cowell has teamed up with Ted Harbert, a former NBC executive whose production company Ted Harbert Television has a deal with Fox, to make the show.

"He's just plain smart," Mr Tarbert told Variety magazine. "This guy really gets it, both in his concepts and his ideas for stories.

"Part of what we do with the series is show the behind-the-scenes stuff that isn't shown on American Idol."

Cowell has already said the current series of Pop Idol will be his last.