Millionaire TV group in global talent show: Celador link-up with Griffin will take show worldwide.(Television)

The company behind worldwide TV hit Who Wants To Be A Millionaire is moving into the broadcast space occupied by 19 Entertainment by launching a global talent search.

The World's Greatest Singer, due to be screened next October by a series of leading international terrestrial broadcasters, is the first of what is planned to be an annual contest pitching unsigned singers against one another from 24 countries.

The competition's winner will be determined by a global public phone vote and carries the first prize of a recording and management deal. It is the first project undertaken by a newly-formed subsidiary of Millionaire creator Celador International which has been formed in partnership with TV producer Guy Freeman.

Celador Music & Events links Celador with Freeman's own operation Griffin Media and will be tasked with creating and producing globally-marketed music shows and other TV events.

Freeman's many TV projects include The Brits, BBC Music Live, The Eurovision Song Contest and the first UK Millionaire series for Celador. Tim new venture will tap into Celador's strong reputation among broadcast companies worldwide, established thanks to its highly successful Millionaire format. "Millionaire is in more than 100 territories around the world so the Celador name is a really powerful calling card," says Freeman.