A new TV talent contest You¿re a Starinvites young people to audition at nine venues nationwide over the coming weeks.
The auditions will be recorded live and form part of the reality TV show, which can be seen on RTE television from October 27th.
The show introduces a new TV format, which incorporates public voting from the start of the series. After each programme, the public will be asked to vote for their favourite act. The first ten programmes will incorporate auditions from around the country, while the remaining ten will form part of the "knock-out stage".
The eventual winner will receive a recording and management contract and go forward to represent Ireland in the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest.
Series producer Mr Larry Bass anticipates "over 10,000 people will audition in the coming weeks for the show".
The judging panel includes musician Phil Coulter, ex-Atomic Kitten member Kerry McFadden and music publicist Mr Darren Smith. Louis Walsh will also join the judging panel for phase two of the show. Ray D'Arcy will present the twenty episodes.
Auditions begin on Dublin's southside on September 9th in Dún Laoghaire and will travel to Belfast, Dundalk, Cork, Killarney, Kilkenny, Galway and Derry.