X Factor musical I Can't Sing has a go at Simon Cowell

Nigel Harman who plays Simon Cowell and Simon Cowell at a photo-call for the X Factor musical I Can't Sing (PA)

X Factor boss Simon Cowell said he knows he will "get it in the neck" in the new musical based on the hit singing show.

The production, which is called I Can't Sing, is written by comic Harry Hill and tells the story of a young woman who lives in a caravan with a talking dog and finds fame on the talent show.

Speaking at a press launch in central London, he said: "I didn't want to do a musical which we took too seriously. The show is a serious show but it's also a fun show".

He added: "I get it in the neck throughout and it's constantly evolving this story".

Former EastEnders star Nigel Harman plays Cowell and said he was studying the music mogul's behaviour for his character.

He said: "Obviously he's a very handsome man, so I'll be as handsome as I can be".

Hill, who joked the show was his "brainchild, not lovechild", said Cowell had come to him with one demand.

He said: "He did ask 'please could there be a part for Sinitta', but you've got to draw the line somewhere".

The show, which stars Cynthia Erivo as the young hopeful and Alan Morrissey as an environmental campaigner and young plumber trying to find fame, opens at the London Palladium in March.

It includes digs at stars include Geri Halliwell and James Blunt and lyrics about hopefuls who want to be "like George Michael with better parking, like Robbie Williams but not as barking".

Cowell, who described the show as "bonkers", said he was not worried about the plot.

He said: "There are times obviously when we're on these shows where you just can't believe what is happening.

"We had a guy recently on Got Talent who bounded to the front of the stage and said 'I've got cancer' like it's fantastic news and that's the world we live in now".

The writers admitted they had re-written a few lines to make a reference to Cowell's impending fatherhood but the music mogul said he did not expect many more re-writes.

He said: "The show opens in seven months, there's only so much that can happen".

The X Factor boss, who is expecting a baby with New Yorker Lauren Silverman, is back in the UK for the launch of the latest series of the singing talent show.

PA