Published Tuesday, 21 February 2012
The 63-year-old was in Co Down searching for a new star of rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar and the audition process is being filmed for new show Superstar, which will be aired on UTV.
With almost 20 musicals under his belt, an estimated fortune of around £700m, a knighthood and a peerage for services to music, Baron Lloyd-Webber of Sydmonton knows what he's looking for.
"Obviously he's got to be really wonderful rock tenor because it's a rock show," he told UTV.
"The big difference between the old shows I've done elsewhere is that Jesus Christ Superstar is an arena tour in this case and not a theatre so show he's got to be a great rock tenor and fantastic charisma.
"I think the combination of both is going to be hard to find but I'm quite excited."
The stage was set for more than 200 men who turned out for the auditions at the Culloden Hotel in Cultra on Tuesday.
Andrew Lloyd-Webber said he enjoys taking part the nationwide audition process.
"It's always a joy to see young people and that's why I do it. I don't need to do it but I love seeing that I can get the best performances out of people."
Adam Gillian, 19, is just one of the hopefuls who auditioned on Tuesday. The Belfast man said:
"I'm here to give my best. It would be a fantastic opportunity; I've wanted to do performance for many many years."
Twenty-two-year-old Matthew Cavan said he was nearly sick with nerves when he unexpectedly saw the musical impresario in the audition process.
"It's been a dream to meet him and today I got the chance to sing in front of him. I nearly vomited! It was the shock," he said.
Rock musician Jeff Anderson thinks he has the voice the show is looking for. The 21-year-old has already played the starring role in Jesus Christ Superstar, at the Grand Opera House in November.
He said the auditions were a nerve-wracking experience.
"I was nervous, shaking, but it was a great experience and I really enjoyed it. It's the opportunity to get my name out there and show what I can do."
This is not the first reality show that Andrew Lloyd Webber has been involved in but he said his programme will not turn into the tit for tat scrapping seen on other shows.
"We are about nurturing the talent we find. I'm not interested in making remarks at other people's expense. I want them to succeed," he explained.
"It's amazing, the talent we've found. These kids get a chance to audition for someone they would fight to get near in London," added Baron Lloyd-Webber.
And for the one lucky man who makes it through to the Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour, kicking off in London's O2 Arena, Baron Lloyd-Webber said: "It's going to change their life. This is not an easy role, it's a big big sing."
Whoever wins will be in Belfast later in the year when the production is staged at the Odyssey Arena as part of a UK-wide tour.
CORRECTION: Andrew Lloyd-Webber's estimated fortune is worth around £700m, not £70m as previously stated.