Opting not to wait for the customary E3 announcement, Codemasters today revealed that it has snaffled the rights to Pop Idol, the Gareth Gates-spawning TV karaoke "talent" show.

However, more importantly for the Warwickshire-based outfit, the rights to the US version, American Idol, were also acquired, giving access to ride on the back of one of the biggest TV sensation to grip the sub-continent since the last Gulf war.

"To secure one of the most talked about, most watched, most fascinating entertainment brands of recent years is a major landmark in Codemasters'" said Garry Rowe, UK veteran BD director at Codies. "With the gaming market now a mass-market entertainment platform, the Pop Idol title will have a massive impact."

The game will be a rhythm-themed affair, mirroring the TV show, in which players must keep their contestant in time with on screen commands to progress.

What's more Simon Cowell will be immortalised in polygons to give feedback on performance. What more could you want?

The game will be debuted at E3 for both PlayStation 2 and PC.