Katherine Jenkins / Rex Features

ITV has started making plans for a new reality contest called Popstars to Opera Stars, according to a report.

The competition will see a group of well-known singers training to perform arias before showing off their new vocal skills in front of the nation each week, The Sun claims.

It is thought that opera favourites Katherine Jenkins and Russell Watson are among the famous faces being lined up as judges, while Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts could mentor the celebrity contestants.

A source told the newspaper: "We're aiming big as this will be a massive show. We are talking about people like Will [Young], Kimberley Walsh from Girls Aloud and Mutya [Buena] from the Sugababes.

"It's all about getting people out of their comfort zones. It is a tough call for an established singer, as they could end up struggling with some of the notes in opera."

ITV bosses reportedly came up with the show after noticing the success of traditional singers like Potts and Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent.