Entertainment

BBC to launch search for Britain's best public speaker

The BBC has announced a TV search to find Britain's best young speaker.

Speak Up (working title) is a new eight part prime-time series on BBC2.

It will see "tough-talking teens, class jokers and shy, sensitive types" go head-to-head as they learn to talk publicly about issues they are passionate about.

Executive Producer Kieron Collins said: "Forget the public speaking stereotypes of nervous kids in school uniforms, shuffling notes and talking about dull, worthy things.

"Speak Up is a modern and truly nationwide take on the speaking competition. It's about communication, confidence and giving British teenagers an opportunity to be heard."

Teenagers will be invited to record and post their own short speeches on to a website, from which 300 will be invited to audition.

The judges will then select 20 semi-finalists, who will then be split into teams to argue for and against a range of engaging topics.

Celebrity mentors will train eight finalists who go through to the next stage.