RTÉ One is to launch a new talent show, with two former Eurovision stars set to compete against each other.

The show, which is to be hosted by Aidan Power and Westlife’s Nicky Byrne, is called the Hit. It will feature songwriters who must pitch their work to famous Irish singers. The singers will then battle against each other to find a song they believe can be turned into a hit single. That single will then be released for download, and the artist with the top-charting song in each week will perform in the contest’s final on 30 August at Dublin’s 02 Arena. The winning song and artist will be decided by televote.

Brian Kennedy, who represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, will go head-to-head with Ryan O’Shaughnessy, the artist he coached to victory as a mentor on show the Voice of Ireland. And Ireland’s two-time winner, Johnny Logan, will face piano-based songwriter from Belfast, Duke Special.

The show’s full line-up is as follows –

Episode one, 26 July: The Stunning and Julie Feeney

Episode two, 2 August: Brian Kennedy and Ryan O’Shaughnessy

Episode three, 9 August: Johnny Logan and Duke Special

Episode four, 16 August: Samantha Mumba and Republic of Loose

Episode five, 23 August: Mundy and Finbar Furey

Stay tuned to esctoday.com for the latest news and information on Ireland and the Euovision Song Contest.