Season 1
Popstars is a reality music competition series that was broadcast on ITV in early 2001. It was the first British series of the international Popstars franchise and was billed as a documentary on the formation of a modern pop group. The programme began with audition rounds of aspiring singers performing covers of classic songs before a panel of judges. The best performers were selected to come to London for further rounds of auditions. Over the weeks, the judges eliminated various singers from the auditions until just a few singers were left in contention. In the final weeks, five contestants were chosen by the judges to form the new pop group Hear'Say. The programme then showed the group recording and promoting their first single, documenting their first ventures into the music industry.
Episode 1
The first round of open auditions at venues around the UK.
Episode 2
The second round of open auditions at venues around the UK
Episode 3
Boot Camp round in Birmingham where people are let go
Episode 4
Boot Camp in London where more people are let go
Episode 5
The Judges select the final 10 contestants on the last day of boot camp from who the band will be chosen.
Episode 6
The Judges discuss who from the last ten should make the final five
Episode 7
The final five to be in the band are told, with the others rejected. Each of the judges visit the contestants to tell them the news in their homes.
Episode 8
The band move into their new shared house where they will stay for the duration of the recording and promotion of their first album. Also they travel to Norway to record their first album.
Episode 9
The band start to get press attention.
Episode 10
The band record their debut single "Pure and Simple".
Episode 11
Episode 12
The band start their promotion campaign for the release of their debut single.
Episode 13
A live show tied in with the Top 40 chart to reveal the position of their first single