LONDON, Tuesday 18th October 2011: Following the huge success of the first series Lord Sugar returns with his search for a Young Apprentice, on BBC One this autumn.

An avid supporter of young people in business, Lord Sugar will offer twelve of the UK’s most promising and ambitious teenagers the opportunity of a lifetime; a chance to follow in his entrepreneurial footsteps by competing for the title of Young Apprentice.

For eight weeks from 9pm on Monday 24^th October, twelve young candidates will make the leap from classroom to boardroom and face an education like no other as they embark on a series of tough tasks, pushing their skills to the limit. The young candidates will face the same cut-throat competition as in the adult series – it’s survival of the fittest as the tasks become more challenging.

From all corners of the UK, each of the aspiring moguls have been selected for their academic flair and burning passion for business – Lord Sugar has spotted something in all of them, but only one can succeed in becoming the next Young Apprentice.

Aged across 16 and 17 years old, most of these tycoons of tomorrow are still in education and span a broad range of backgrounds from council estates to private schools; they include an award-winning fashion designer, a young farmer, a published author, a filmmaker, a keen horticulturalist, a photographer and a former head-girl.

Lord Sugar started in business at the same age and expects his prospects to be able to do the same.  They believe that they have the capability, passion and raw business talent to take on the challenge and be the one to win access to a fund worth £25,000. The fund will go towards kick-starting his or her business career, and will be tailored to their individual career prospects and development.

All think they have what it takes, but can they prove themselves when the pressure is on? Lord Sugar warns them: “You are young, don’t try and pretend like you know it all because believe me it’ll be embarrassing.” With tasks including making and selling ice cream, launching a new brand of deodorant and creating an online video game, the candidates will quickly learn that Lord Sugar doesn’t hang about when it comes to separating the wheat from the chaff.

Lord Sugar is, once again, aided by his no-nonsense advisers Nick Hewer and Karren Brady who will scrutinise the candidates’ every move during the weekly tasks.

They will live in a luxurious townhouse in St John’s Wood, North London, giving them a taste of the lavish lives they dream of. For some, it’s their first time away from home, but for all it’s the chance to experience what life could be like as a high flyer. When the winner is crowned they will be given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be mentored by Britain’s most famous boss.

Lord Sugar’s search for his next Young Apprentice is about to begin…

Young Apprentice is a talkbackTHAMES production for BBC ONE. Michele Kurland is the Executive Producer, Colm Martin is the Series Editor. Executive Producer for the BBC, Jo Wallace.

THE GIRLS

Elizabeth Magee (‘Lizzie’)
Age: 16
Education: Studying for A Levels in Economics, History, Politics and General Studies
Lives: Liverpool

Published author and rounders champion, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Magee’s first job was collecting glasses in a pub. She now has her own business designing personalised guitar straps and also breeds Jack Russell Terriers. A gym fanatic, she describes herself as impatient and a “time freak.”

She says: “I’m very, very determined and if I know how to get something I will get it.”

Gbemi Okunlola
Age: 16
Education: Studying for a Fashion and Design Advanced BTEC and an A Level in Business Studies
Lives: London

Award winning fashion designer Gbemi has already started her own clothing line and is involved in both designing and making the clothes. Listing Louis Vuitton as her inspiration, Gbemi describes herself as a ‘diva’ and feels her strength is that she always works to her full potential.

She says: “if I believe that what I’m saying is right I will argue until my full voice and my full opinion is heard.”

Hannah Richards
Age: 16
Education: Studying for A Levels in Government and Politics, History Economics, Philosophy and Ethics.
Lives: Berkshire

Female footballer Hannah has made money re-selling vintage clothes and creating school leavers’ hoodies. She plays for two football teams and also enjoys architecture, hoping to get involved in property management in the future.

She says: “I want to show that you can succeed in the business field, without relying on numerous qualifications. The right mind and attitude is ultimately a much more important quality than 12 A*s”

Haya Al Dlame
Age: 17
Education: Studying for A Levels in Maths, Further Maths, Economics, Biology and an Extended Project
Lives: London

Born in Iraq, Haya moved to England with her family at the age of 6. A self-proclaimed bossy-boots who is determined to succeed in business, she is also a keen eBay trader and wishes she was the brains behind MAC cosmetics.

She says: “I have a big ego… I want to be known as Haya Al Dlame, the next deserving winner of Young Apprentice. “

Hayley Forrester
Age: 16
Education: Studying for A Levels in Biology, Maths, Business & Economics and ICT
Lives: Shrewsbury

Ambitious former Head Girl Hayley says her “life revolves around order.” A farmer’s daughter and member of Young Farmers herself, she passionately disagrees with people claiming benefits when they could be working. Inspired by drinks company Innocent, she sells free range, organic eggs from her own chickens.

She says: “I wear wellies, and I am not afraid to muck in”

Zara Brownless
Age: 16
Education: Studying for A Levels in English Literature, Maths, History and Theatre Studies
Lives: Hertfordshire

Film enthusiast Zara used to be a baby model and won a sock design competition when she was seven years old. She is inspired by Katherine Bigelow, the first female director to win an Oscar and currently produces films for charities. When she’s not making movies, Zara enjoys running and playing table tennis.

She says: “Dreamers dream; people who achieve wake up, get out there and start doing stuff to make their dreams happen.”

MEET THE BOYS

Ben Fowler
Age: 16
Education: Studying for Business Diploma
Lives: Birmingham

A keen horticulturalist, Ben started a gardening business in his local area in 2008. He is involved in social enterprise projects providing voluntary services to the allotment association, having taken on his own allotment at a young age. In the future he hopes to help those with learning and behavioural problems study horticulture and agriculture.

He says: “I am an ordinary lad who wants to do the best not just for myself but for everyone.”

Harry Hitchens
Age: 17
Education: Studying for the International Baccalaureate
Lives: Brighton

Keen rugby player and scuba diver Harry also has an artistic side, and runs his own photography business. He has been working since he was nine, with jobs including gardening, selling at car boot sales and magazine delivery. He wishes he had invented the Cat’s Eye road marker.

He says: “I aim high. I don’t aim low ever, what are you ever going to gain from that? I aim high and I get there because of that determination, because I’m pretty ruthless in how I get there.”

Harry Maxwell
Age: 16
Education: Studying for Pre-Us in Maths and Further Maths and A Levels in Geography and Economics and the Extended Project
Lives: Oxfordshire

School prefect Harry is a polo enthusiast and water-sports fanatic, as well as a talented singer and pianist. Inspired by Simon Cowell, entrepreneur Harry is a business veteran despite his young age. Starting his first business when he was ten, selling tickets on the internet, he has already started three successful businesses, encompassing travel, marketing, property and cosmetics.

He says: “In terms of my intellect, self-motivation, confidence, and business instinct for my age, I am unrivalled. I have a pure entrepreneurial gift waiting to be unleashed and harnessed”.

James McCullagh
Age: 17
Education: Studying for A Levels in English, Economics, Spanish and Biology
Lives: County Derry, Northern Ireland

Irishman James describes himself as a risk-taker and always follows his gut instinct. James got the joint highest score in GCSE Economics in Northern Ireland and feels he is a natural businessman. He is a massive football fan and lists his passion as economics.

He says: “I have integrity, but when winning gets in the way of integrity, integrity goes out the window.”

Lewis Roman
Age: 16
Education: Studying for A Levels in World Development, Psychology, Performing Arts, ICT
Lives: Merseyside

Describing himself as ‘confident, charismatic and clever’, Lewis Roman’s first foray into the business world was as an assistant stylist at a hair salon. A keen shopper and gym buff, Lewis now works in the food industry and hopes to change the world of business forever.

He says: “I’m not arrogant or backstabbing, I’m just a really great guy.”

Mahamed Awale
Age: 16
Education: Studying for A Levels in Politics, Law, Economics and Psychology
Lives: Greater London

A keen inventor and fundraiser who describes himself as “competitive and charismatic,” Mahamed who is the Youth Parliament Representative for his borough, has already made money buying and selling TV satellites. Inspired by the Microsoft and Facebook brands, he hopes to bring about “monumental change” using politics and youth outreach schemes.

He says: “I have so many abilities and so many talents. I want to prove what an entrepreneurial person I am.”

The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival today announces that Kenton Allen, Chief Executive Big Talk Productions, has been appointed as Advisory Chair for the 2012 festival.

Allen takes over the reins from BBC Director of Vision George Entwistle, who held the position for the duration of the 36^th festival year.

Kenton is a multi award-winning programme-maker with credits including the BAFTA-winning sitcoms The Royle Family and Rev and the Oscar-winning film Six Shooter. He was Creative Head of BBC Comedy and BBC Comedy North between 2003 and 2008, producing and executive-producing a diverse range of programming including the BAFTA-winning That Mitchell and Webb Look.

Kenton’s appointment as Chief Executive of Big Talk Productions has seen rapid growth in the Independent Producer over the last 3 years, alongside a number of high profile and award winning productions and a nomination for Best Independent Production Company at last year’s TV festival.

Kenton Allen said: “I think George did a brilliant job this year, and I relish the prospect of getting stuck in and making 2012’s Festival the best it can be. There has never been a more creative and exciting time to be working in television and no other event showcases this like the MGEITF festival. It’s a very special event and I haven’t missed one in 15 years so I feel very honoured to be taking on the role and I’m really looking forward to helping make it unmissable.”

Elaine Bedell, MGEITF Executive Chair said: “I’m very pleased that Kenton is taking on the role of Advisory chair.  In recent years, the role has been held by executives working for the main UK broadcasters, and I think it will be a real benefit for the UK’s main television festival to be chaired this year by someone with such standing from the independent sector, who perfectly understands the pressures and demands of the UK production business.  Added to which, Kenton’s award-winning production experience in comedy and entertainment promises a 2012 festival programme with more than usual stardust and sparkle.”

MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival takes place 24 – 26 August 2012. For further details visit www.mgeitf.co.uk

Taylor Herring PR + 44 (208) 206 5151

Notes to Editors

About The Advisory Chair

The Festival Advisory Chair is responsible for the editorial direction of the TV Festival’s programme – from commissioning session ideas to overseeing final production. Working closely with the Festival Office, the Advisory Chair brings together a committee from across the entire industry to advise and produce festival sessions.

Further Info about Kenton Allen

Prior to joining the BBC he was the Creative Director of Elizabeth Murdoch’s Shine Ltd which he joined from his role as Head of Entertainment Development at Granada TV. He began his Television career when Jonathan Ross invited him to leave the world of BBC Radio where he produced, amongst a diverse range of programming, Loose Ends for Radio 4 and Steve Wright In The Afternoon for Radio 1 to join one of the first wave of British Indies – Channel X Productions.

At Channel X he produced over 250 live editions of the comedy chat show Tonight with Jonathan Ross for Channel 4. At Big Talk Kenton leads a thriving and fast growing company that specialises in Drama, Comedy and Entertainment. He recently produced the BAFTA-winning Rev and BBC Three smash-hit Him & Her.

He is the Executive Producer of C4′s hugely popular Friday Night Dinner. Kenton also EP’s the entertainment series King Of… with Claudia Winkleman (Channel 4), Show Me The Funny (ITV), The Pranker (with Running Bare Films for BBC3), Chickens written by and starring Simon Bird, Joe Thomas and Jonny Sweet (C4) and brand new sitcom Threesome (Comedy Central UK).

In the USA, he is EP on Free Agents, a series for NBC starring Hank Azaria, based on the original Channel 4 series. Big Talk have also recently announced that Greg Daniels (The Office) will be adapting Friday Night Dinner, also for NBC.

He is married to the writer Imogen Edwards-Jones.

EDINBURGH, Wednesday 24th August 2011: Final preparations are underway for the weekend’s 36th annual MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, which boasts a line up of over 50 sessions that celebrate the year’s successes and address the current issues that face the industry.

For the full programme click here

Dr. Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google, will deliver this year’s MacTaggart lecture, discussing the unique role that Google occupies across global media and how TV business can engage with the giant of modern media. For the first time the speech will be streamed live via You Tube.

Danny Cohen, Peter Fincham, Jay Hunt, Janice Hadlow, Stuart Murphy and Jeff Ford will feature in the Controllers Sessions – each one providing an in-depth and informative look at what their channel has in store for viewers in the future, whilst answering audience questions. 

TV’s man of the moment, Professor Brian Cox, is the subject of the Alternative MacTaggart, in interview with Mariella Frostrup. The particle physicist will offer his analysis of TV as an enduring medium while offering up thoughts on the meaning of the Universe.

Comedy mogul Jon Thoday will give the Richard Dunn Memorial interview.  He will be opening up his extraordinary career in comedy management and production, discussing how he launched the careers of some of the UK’s best known comics.

Multi award-winning  Sky News reporter, Alex Crawford, will deliver the Worldview Lecture live via satellite link from Libya, focusing on recent events in the Middle East, and the changing role of news in growing, multicultural society.

The session ‘Chasing The Convergence Cash’ will set the scene for a major theme of the festival as broadcasting heavyweights chase new world operators like Facebook for revenue. Speakers will include Channel Four’s Chief Executive David Abraham and Ed Vaizey MP.

As Sky enters its third decade, the festival looks at the way the UK’s first satellite operator has revolutionised our television and the challenges it now faces as Britain’s biggest broadcaster. Speakers include David Wheeldon Sky’s Director of Policy & Public Affairs and Alan Rusbridger Editor In Chief, The Guardian.

In his first festival appearance for 6 years, Ricky Gervais talks about his TV career past and present while new entrant to the British comedy pantheon, Miranda Hart, will give a masterclass covering the creative process and exploring the future of comedy. Comic Strip writer Peter Richardson and producer Nick Smith will talk through the process of revising one of the nation’s best-loved comedy shows and updating it for a very different age.

Journalist and presenter Miriam O’Reilly joins a panel discussion examining the relationship between older women and television in Too Old for HD? The session will explore the different ways TV women have adapted – or not – with the changing face of television.

Actress Joanne Froggatt and Gareth Neame, executive producer of the massive ratings and critical success, Downton Abbey, will be deconstructing its popularity, examining its narrative structure as well as exclusively previewing the new series.

Sofie Gråbøl, star of hit Danish crime thriller, The Killing is joined by producer Piv Bernth to celebrate Sarah Lund, the cult following for the programme and everyone’s favourite jumpers.

Mark Wright and Sam Faiers, stars of ITV2’s multiplatform phenomenon and runaway success, The Only Way is Essex are joined by producers and commissioners to talk vajazzling, spray tanning, and the blurring of fact and fiction.

Glenn Brown, Director of Business Development at Twitter, will give The Futureview Address. Brown will be addressing the power of the medium to revolutionise the way TV viewers discover and interact with programming in real time. An additional session  The Only Way is Twitter…? will interrogate the ‘Twitter Effect’ by looking at the numbers and their real impact exposing top tweeters’ best practices.

With under a year to go until the start of the Olympics, the BBC’s Director of London 2012 Roger Mosey, will give a preview of what new technological and creative innovations we can expect as the BBC prepares to deliver the greatest show on earth – the Olympics – to our living rooms in 2012.

Some of the advertising world’s most creative people will share their revolutionary approach to audience engagement and a separate session looks at the world of product placement. Other highlights include; an investigation into bullying in the industry and an exploration into the international success of The Cube.

MGEITF kicks off with Family Fortunes as you’ve never seen it before. Vernon Kay will host this special edition of everyone’s favourite gameshow, with commissioning “families” from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky, plus celebrity guests (including Lee Mack, Sam Faiers, Alan Carr and Sally Lindsay)  competing to demonstrate their superior understanding of TV audiences.

Presented by comedian Russell Kane, the Arqiva Channel of the Year Awards introduces three new awards this year; Cross Platform Innovation, Producer or Director Debut and Indie of the Year. A host of celebrity faces will help present the awards to the winners.

Screenings include; Sky 1’s new sitcom, SPY; The 9/11 Decade, an Al Jazeera film exploring how the CIA fought al Qaeda in the shadows, marking the tenth anniversary of the World Trade Centre attacks; Sky Atlantic’s first original comedy commission, This is Jinsy with Q&A; a screening of the new episode of BBC One’s Doctor Who; Syfy’s supernatural drama, Haven (Series 2 Episode 1- A Tale of Two Audreys); ABC’s highly anticipated, Once Upon A Time; and Channel 4’s comedy Fresh Meat, starring Jack Whitehall, with an introduction from the channel’s Head of Drama, Camilla Campbell.

For the full run down – visit the festival website at mgeitf.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter

@EdinburghTVFest . Festival tag #mgeitf

Press Contact: Taylor Herring PR

Notes to Editors:

• Now in its 36^th year, the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival is the essential annual event for anyone involved in the media industry
• A diverse programme of over 50 sessions including debates about important industry issues, future trends, glossy entertainment sessions and some of the most innovative leaders in the media delivering keynote speeches
• The Festival is attended by over 1,500 delegates, representing the full spectrum of the industry – from chief executives, controllers and commissioners to producers, directors, marketers, writers, new media companies, distributors and press
• A key part of the Festival’s charitable remit is encouraging and developing new talent from a diverse range of backgrounds, and it delivers on this aim through two talent schemes, The Network and Fast Track.  These schemes help over 100 young people each year to get in and get on in the media industry.
• George Entwistle, Controller of BBC Knowledge Commissioning, is the 2011 Advisory Chair.
•  For further details log on to www.mgeitf.co.uk

LONDON, Tuesday 12th July 2011: Stand-up comedy is one of the toughest jobs in showbiz and ITV1’s new seven-part reality series, Show Me The Funny, is on the hunt for the next stand-up superstar in comedy.

Beginning at 9pm on Monday 18th July and hosted by award-winning comedian Jason Manford, Show Me The Funny features 10 comedians with varying levels of experience as they battle it out to win the ultimate prize in British comedy; £100,000, a nationwide multi-date UK tour throughout September and their very own DVD at Christmas.

Over six grueling weeks, the funnymen – and women – will be sent to all corners of the country and tasked with various challenges, with the winners deciding the running order of that week’s gig. The series will culminate in a live final where the remaining comedians will play to the biggest audience of their careers at London’s world-famous Hammersmith Apollo, in front of a 3,000 strong audience and millions of voting viewers at home.

Each week, the comedians aim is to find inspiration for five minutes of material to be performed at a gig in an unusual venue and to potentially raucous crowds, before facing the scrutiny of the judges. From a hospital and an army base to a secondary school and rugby club, the group will be followed as they complete their tasks and deal with the pressures of writing and performing fresh material.

The climax of each show will see the comedians come face-to-face with the judges; the much-loved comedian Alan Davies and the much-feared comedy critic Kate Copstick. They will decide who has made the cut for the next gig and who will find themselves on their way home. Each week, Alan and Kate will be joined by a revolving roster of some of the best known names in UK comedy including Jo Brand, Johnny Vegas, Bob Mortimer, Ross Noble, Cannon & Ball and Jimmy Tarbuck, to assist in their decision.

The 10 comedians, who all love making people laugh, but have yet to find their big break, feature fresh-faced newcomers to seasoned professionals, including a serving police officer, a former undertaker and an ex-professional model. One of the comedians has never been paid for a gig, another recently quit their job to do stand-up full time, and one is using annual leave from their regular job to compete in the show, whilst others have been making a full-time living out of the profession for years.

Jason Manford said: “Stand-up comedy has never been bigger and there has never been a better time to make this show. I’m excited to be involved in the series – it’s very rare to have the ability to make pretty much anyone laugh, and I hope Show Me The Funny will find that comic.”

Alan Davies commented: “After years on the circuit, I know exactly what it’s like to deal with the pressures of making an audience laugh and this is an extremely tough challenge.”

Kate Copstick commented: “People are calling it The X Factor for comics. But I think it’s more like Masterchef for comics. Which I suppose makes Alan John Torode, and me the irritating shouty one.”

Executive Producer and CEO of Big Talk Productions, Kenton Allen, said: “Stand-up comedy is the toughest job in show-business and the only job in the world where you are judged every 10 seconds by a paying audience expecting big laughs. Show Me The Funny is the real deal. There is no safety net. Expect to laugh your socks off, cry your eyes out, and some parts are best watched through your fingers.”

Making people laugh isn’t as easy as it sounds, and Show Me The Funny will reveal to the audience at home the pressures, creativity and nerve involved in pulling off the ultimate stand-up routine.

This is the ultimate search for comedies next big thing. It’s survival of the funniest.

The Show Me The Funny website –www.itv.com/funny – will feature clips from each episode, web chats with the judges, plus all the information you need on the show and the 10 competing comedians. You can also follow the series and join in the conversation on Twitter – @showmethefunny or by using the #smtf hashtag – and Facebook –
www.facebook/showmethefunny.

The Show Me The Funny Tour will be promoted by leading Comedy Promoter of Live Comedy in the UK, Phil McIntyre Entertainments (Peter Kay, John Cleese, Ed Byrne, John Bishop, Bill Bailey). The DVD of the tour will be released by 2Entertain, the number one DVD distributor for British Comedy (Lee Evans, Stewart Lee, Tim Vine, Harry Hill).

Show Me The Funny is a Big Talk Productions show for ITV1. Kenton Allen is Executive Producer, Martyn Smith is Series Editor. Claire Zolkwer is the Commissioning Editor, Comedy & Entertainment for ITV.

Show Me The Funny will air on ITV1, and ITV1 HD.

MEET THE COMEDIANS

From left to right: Stuart Goldsmith, Patrick Monahan, Cole Parker, Prince Abdi, Ellie Taylor, Jason Manford, Tiffany Stevenson, Rudi Lickwood, Ignacio Lopez, Dan Mitchell, Alfie Moore

Alfie Moore
Age: 47

By day, Alfie is a serving Police Sergeant; by night, he is a stand-up comedian. Comedy was firstly a hobby, ignited by Alfie 3 years ago, after a night out at a local comedy gig with his wife. He was very inspired by the acts and desperate to get up on stage and give it a go. Alfie is now performing regularly and over the past two and a half years has done over 250 comedy gigs and 50 after-dinner speeches.

Alfie Says: “The general perception is that cops take themselves too seriously and are too stuck-up and secretive. But if they see a copper who can laugh at himself and his organisation, that could do a lot of good.”

Cole Parker
Age: 37

Cole started his stand-up career at the age of six after entering a talent contest in Norfolk. Despite coming second, Cole was undeterred and a love of stand-up was born. Something of a bad-boy, Cole has a reputation for being a smart, solid act who can handle any audience. Popular on the comedy circuit, he regular plays all the big clubs country wide and internationally.

Cole says:“I’ve had this terrific passion for stand-up since a very young age. In the past, I have been maligned as an alpha male, but you should not judge people by appearances.”

Dan Mitchell
Age: 34

Charity worked Dan is a former Undertaker who sites “boredom” as the reason for his move into stand-up five years ago. Dan has since performed over 500 gigs after starting in small pubs in the rural Welsh countryside. He has performed at a variety of places from the Green Man Festival where he was critically acclaimed, to being booed off stage in a strip joint.

Dan says: “What do I love about stand-up? When it’s going well, the buzz is unlike anything else. When it fails, of course, you blame the audience!”

Ellie Taylor
Age: 27

After seeing a friend perform a five minute set, ex-model Ellie decided she should give it a go. A keen drama student at school, Ellie went on to study at York University and has recently given up her job in corporate events to concentrate on comedy full time. She has never been paid for a gig.

Ellie says: “I know I can perform, but I have never gigged outside London! Please don’t say I’m brave – that’s just a polite way of saying stupid!”

Ignacio Lopez
Age: 24

After University, Spanish barman, Ignacio got a job as an usher in a cinema, to get him closer to short films; another of his big passions. His colleagues at the cinema pushed him into comedy at the end of 2009 and he hasn’t looked back, despite being only paid for two gigs so far.

Ignacio says: “My goal is to play to as many people as possible. It will really help me progress and I see this as a way of jumping a few steps ahead.”

Patrick Monahan
Age: 35

Patrick may well be the only stand-up in the world of Irish-Iranian decent, but brought up on Teeside. He sees his background as a real bonus and credits talking about it as his breakthrough. Patrick has headlined the prestigious Comedy Store and performed around the world from the west of Ireland to Dubai.

Pat says: “There are no other Irish-Iranian comedians with a northern upbringing on the circuit – I’m all three rolled into one!”

Prince Abdi
Age: 28

A Somalian-born, former primary school teacher who was once on Millwall FC’s books, Prince Abdi won the Your Comedy Star competition at the Edinburgh Festival in 2007. Despite only just going full time, he has been on the circuit for four years and recently came second in the Barbican New Act of the Year competition.

Prince says: “I love doing stand-up. I could be a role model;I’m from a deprived area of London where opportunities are limited.”

Rudi Lickwood
Age: 47

Rudi has been on the circuit for the best part of two decades after first coming onto the comedy scene as an Eddie Murphy look-a-like in 1989 aged 26. Through this, he travelled all over the world, and when Beverley Hills Cop was released he was sent to Scandinavia, where he basically lived a celebrity lifestyle.

Rudi says: “Not everyone will like everything I do. I know I’m challenging the status quo in comedy. I’m not saying step over the line – I take my responsibilities very seriously, but my comedy is there to make you think.”

Stuart Goldsmith
Age: 33

When he was younger, Stuart ran away to join the circus, but upon discovering that the circus entailed more press-ups than he deemed reasonable, he fled! He moved on to street performance and acting, before settling on stand-up. He has gone on to perform all over the UK and Europe and he has supported sell-out comedians Mark Watson and Paul Sinha on their national tours.

Stuart says: “I’m used to having to claw an audience out of thin air! You walk onto a deserted street with just a suitcase and your wits, and you have to make things happen or you can’t pay the rent!”

Tiffany Stevenson
Age: 33

Tiff’s route to stand up has been quite diverse, but since taking the mic in 2006, where she initially performed as her WAG character ‘Savannah Dior’ she has been ahead of the curve. Tiffany also runs and co-hosts “Old Rope”, a weekly new material night with the award winning Phil Nichol at The Phoenix in London.

Tiffany says: “All comedians love trying out new material. There is nothing more satisfying than performing something and getting an instant response. I hope I can rise to the challenge.”

THE JUDGES

Jason Manford – Host

Jason Manford is a writer, comedian, actor, radio and television presenter. He was tipped to be a comedian from a very young age, but despite being a joker in his youth, Jason only got into comedy by chance. After leaving school at the age of 17, he began collecting glasses at the Buzz Comedy Club in Chorlton-cum-Hardy. One night a comedian didn’t turn up, so Jason filled in. Six gigs later, he was crowned The City Life North West Comedian of the Year.

His first major television appearance was as a guest on the Channel 4 panel show, 8 out of 10 cats, hosted by Jimmy Carr. He later went on to replace Dave Spikey as Team Captain in 2007 and continued for five series.

Jason has presented several TV shows including; Tonightly the topical comedy entertainment show for Channel 4 (2008) and the comedy entertainment show Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford for ITV1 (2010). He has just finished filming the second series of the ITV1 comedy game show Odd One In which is on air now. He is also currently on tour, which is running until November 2011, by which time he will have entertained over 300,000 people live with this show, sharing hilarious tales of shower mishaps, visiting “dangerous” animals and nappies. His first book – a hilarious yet warm memoir of growing up funny in a big working class Manchester family and his second DVD – Jason Manford Live; are both released in the autumn.

Jason cites Billy Connolly as the first comedian he saw when he was 9 years old, and as the very first inspiration for him to become a comedian. Peter Kay helped him at the beginning of his career offering Jason advice and sharing contacts.

Alan Davies –  Judge

Alan Davies began performing stand-up comedy in 1988 just five months after leaving university, with a three month stint in Canada performing at various Fringe Festivals and Comedy Clubs. Upon his return, he secured a TV spot within six months. In 1991, he was named Time Out’s Best Young Comic. He appeared on Tonight with Jonathan Ross in 1992 and continued touring and performing in the UK and Canada, winning the Edinburgh Festival Critics Award for Comedy in 1994.

In 1998, a DVD of his most successful stand-up tour, Urban Trauma was released following a sell-out season at the Duchess Theatre. It was later shown on BBC One.

Alan’s best known acting role is as the title character in the BAFTA-winning BBC drama, Jonathan Creek. He is also a permanent panelist on multi-award winning BBC quiz show, QI. His most recent acting role was the title character Roland White in the BBC Comedy Whites.

Kate Copstick – Judge

Kate Copstick has judged on numerous comedy awards including the Perrier, Amused Moose, SYTYF and Malcolm Hardee Awards. The first person to give Michael McIntyre a five star review, Kate Copstick has seen more live comedy, and spotted more new talent, than any other comedy critic in the UK.

For years she has been the most controversial critic at the Edinburgh Festival, with a fearsome reputation on the circuit as being the toughest of the tough, who can either make or break a career. Love her or hate her, her opinions are often stark, honest and occasionally brutal.

Her one woman show – Hardly Camp at All played New York, and at the 2001 and 2002 Edinburgh Festival she was described as “the future of Comedy”.

She appeared on On the Waterfront with Andrew O’Connor which gained cult status because of their parody “The Flashin Blade” created by Russell T Davies. She was a regular on Channel 4’s Biteback and After The News.

She has worked extensively with Jimmy Logan and has also shared stage, and/or screen time with, variously, Tom O’Connor, Bernard Manning, Nicholas Parsons, Fry and Laurie, Graham Norton, Richard O’Brien, The Chuckle Brothers, Basil Brush, John Inman and every major drag queen in London and Blackpool.

Kate Copstick has appeared on dozens of comedy panel shows and performed stand-up on many regional TV shows across the country.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Show Me The Funny Tour and DVD:

The winner will be voted for by the audience at home in a live final due to air in August. They will go on to headline their own stand up tour promoted by leading Comedy Promoter of Live Comedy in the UK, Phil McIntyre Entertainments, across the UK on the following dates*:

*Dates and venue subject to change and further dates may be added

The DVD of the tour will be released by 2Entertain, the number one DVD distributor for British Comedy.

About Big Talk Productions:

Big Talk is one of the UK’s leading film and television production companies. Launched by Nira Park in 1995, it has an impeccable track record in developing talent such as Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright whose cult television series Spaced paved the way for Big Talk’s first hit films Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.

In 2007 Matthew Justice (Hallam Foe, Blade) joined as Managing Director to help develop the company and in 2008 former BBC Creative Head Of Comedy Kenton Allen (That Mitchell and Webb Look, The Royle Family and the Oscar-winning Six Shooter) joined as Chief Executive together with a simultaneous strategic investment from BBC Worldwide. Big Talk now has a dynamic slate of original television with all the major UK broadcasters and continues to attract exceptional talent. Simon Curtis (Cranford, Five Days), Robert Popper (Peep Show, Look Around You, Friday Night Dinner) and Luke Alkin (Former Head of Channel 4 Drama) are all part of the core creative team.

In 2010 two new six-part comedies were broadcast to record audiences and huge critical acclaim: the BAFTA-winning Rev. (BBC Two), starring Tom Hollander, and Him & Her (BBC Three) starring Russell Tovey.

This year Channel 4 broadcast Big Talk’s first co-production with Popper Pictures, Friday Night Dinner starring Tamsin Grieg, Paul Ritter, Simon Bird & Tom Rosenthal, and commissioned a second series following its ratings and critical success. Current productions include second series of Rev. and Him & Her, and new commissions The Pranker starring Ross Lee (with Running Bare Films for BBC Three) and Chickens (Channel 4) written by and starring Simon Bird, Joe Thomas and Jonny Sweet and directed by Steve Bendelack(The League of Gentlemen). Threesome (Comedy Central) is a brand new sitcom by Tom MacRae, starring Amy Huberman, Emun Elliot and Stephen Wight.

Big Talk is now also the home of entertainment formats Show Me The Funny (ITV) a nationwide death-by-comedy contest for stand-ups culminating in a live final, presented by Jason Manford, and King Of … (Channel 4) a comedy chat show hosted by Claudia Winkleman.

Big Talk Productions has also made its mark in America; NBC has commissioned a series based on their Channel 4 show Free Agents. Starring Hank Azaria, it will be broadcast in the US from September.

In film, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, starring Michael Cera and directed by Edgar Wright, has been hailed as a ‘modern masterpiece’.Paul, written by and starring Simon Pegg& Nick Frost and directed by Greg Mottola has been a huge hit worldwide. Attack the Block, written and directed by Joe Cornish, has been released in the UK to stellar reviews and will open in the US this summer.

LONDON, Monday, 27th June 2011: The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival today confirm the addition of multi-award winning writer and comedian, Ricky Gervais to this year’s already stellar line-up.

Comedy treasure Ricky Gervais has been very busy in the USA – producing hit TV shows, making movies, hosting awards shows and making mischief with the Hollywood A-list. The comedian, actor, director and multi-award winning writer will be quizzed on his experiences of the television industry in America. The star will give a personal insight into his Sky 1 hit, An Idiot Abroad in conversation with broadcaster Richard Bacon and an audience Q&A opportunity.

Also confirmed today is Chloe Sladden, Director of Content & Programming at Twitter, who works with media, news and entertainment organizations to imagine and implement new approaches to content creation, audience engagement, and journalism. Chloe will be giving the keynote address for the MGEITF Futureview, discussing the power of Twitter to revolutionize the way TV viewers discover and interact with programming in real time. Sladden will provide a provocative view of what’s changed so far –and what happens next.

Sladden commented: “I’m excited to join the Edinburgh International Television Festival to share, debate and discuss how Twitter is changing the TV viewing experience. I look forward to conversations with colleagues and partners about what the future holds for interactive TV.”

Additionally joining the high-calibre list of contributors at MGEITF this year are comedian and actor Lee Mack, English journalist and television presenter Esther Rantzen, Irish television writer, actor and director Graham Linehan, and BBC Drama Commissioning Controller, Ben Stephenson.

Other industry luminaries already confirmed to appear include; Dr. Eric Schmidt (Executive Chairman of Google), Professor Brian Cox, the stars of The Only Way Is Essex and Downton Abbey, Miranda Hart and The Killing’s Sofie Gråbøl.

The Festival will take place from August 26 – 28 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. To find out more about the programme and to register, please visit www.mgeitf.co.uk.

Press Contact: Taylor Herring PR

London, Tuesday 14^th June 2011: Award winning broadcaster, UKTV today announced that it is strengthening its commitment to its lifestyle genre by launching Really onto Freeview.

Moving to Freeview channel 20 on 2^nd August from 08.00 until 02:00 Really will still be available on Sky and Virgin Media.   Replacing Dave Ja Vu, Really will sit immediately below its UKTV-stablemate, Dave, the home of witty banter, on Freeview’s EPG.  This move will mean that three of the award-winning broadcaster’s offerings are available free to air, one from each of its three key programming genres: factual (Yesterday), entertainment (Dave) and lifestyle (Really).

UKTV’s CEO, Darren Childs, says, “UKTV has an ambitious growth strategy for 2011 and beyond and investment in our Lifestyle channels is integral to our success.  We’ve already got the two leading channels in the genre – Home and Good Food.  By securing a free-to-air slot for Really and investing considerably in its content, we are confident UKTV will continue to dominate the genre.”

Originally launched by UKTV as part of its ambitious network rebrand in May 2009 with the strapline “You couldn’t make it up!” Really offers an eye-opening insight into people’s lives. Targeting predominately young women, Really offers honest, outrageous and fun programming.

UKTV’s Clare Laycock, Interim Director of Lifestyle and Channel Head of Really and Home, adds, “We’ve secured a highly visible EPG position right next to Dave and that, together with Really’s compelling visual identity and schedule packed full of guilty TV pleasures will ensure it stands out from the crowd.  There is so much untapped potential with this channel and with a more prominent shop window to show off our wares, we’ll be looking to maximise Really’s potential.”

The eye-catching schedule is packed full of UK exclusive and high profile US imports including the original Tool Academy and Celebrity Rehab with Dr Drew; a daily strand of shock docs such as Pregnant Man and Baby Beauty Queens; and trusted BBC Three titles such as Snog, Marry, Avoid and Bizarre ER;  Really offers an honest insight into people’s lives… that really gets you talking.

Really will be UKTV’s third channel to join on the Freeview platform, following the highly acclaimed rebrand and launch of Dave, the home of witty banter, in October 2007. Yesterday, UKTV’s factual offering in Freeview, has grown to become Britain’s most watched factual channel.

The launch has been overseen by UKTV’s interim Controller, Christian Drobnyk.

Really. New to Freeview 20; Sky 248 and Virgin 267

www.uktv.co.uk

Notes to Editors

Formed in 1997, UKTV is an independent commercial joint venture, between BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, and Virgin Media.

Attracting  36  million viewers each month, the network consists of 10 distinctive channel brands  – Watch, Gold, Dave, Alibi, Yesterday, Blighty, Eden, Home, Really and Good Food – offering a broad range of quality programming across entertainment, lifestyle and factual programming. UKTV currently operates 24 broadcast streams when multiplexes (+1s) and HD channels are taken into account, and 11 highly successful websites.

Promising to creatively connect its audiences with great programming, UKTV’s successful programming strategy combines quality content from the BBC with high profile original commissions and key acquisitions.

All UKTV channels are distributed on Sky and Virgin Media. Dave, Dave ja vu, Yesterday are also available on Freeview.

LONDON, Monday 16th May 2011: The 36^th annual MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival today announces its most impressive and ambitious line-up of creative and industry luminaries to date.

Taking place on 26^th – 28^th of August the MGEITF is the only industry event that brings together the great and the good, the heroes and villains, the stars of the screen and the people that make them.

The festival weekend will feature a line up of sessions that focus on the year’s finest successes, addresses the current issues that face us all, and provide information, celebration and networking with the cream of the television industry and beyond.

Dr. Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google, will deliver this year’s MacTaggart, discussing the unique role that Google occupies across global media and how TV business can engage with the giant of modern media.

Particle Physicist and TV’s man of the moment, Professor Brian Cox, will deliver the Alternative MacTaggart Lecture offering his analysis of TV as an enduring medium, his own phenomenal success and the meaning of the Universe.

Comedy mogul and founder of Avalon Group, Jon Thoday will give the Richard Dunn Memorial Interview.  He will be opening up his extraordinary career in comedy management, production, opera, events and more, and discussing how he launched the careers of some of the UK’s best known comedians and continues to occupy a hugely powerful role across the whole entertainment value chain.

Three-time winner of the Royal Television Society (RTS) Journalist of the Year award, Dubai-based Sky News reporter, Alex Crawford, will deliver the Worldview Lecture, focusing on recent events in the Middle East, and the changing role of news in growing, multicultural society.

Danny Cohen, Peter Fincham, Jay Hunt, Stuart Murphy, Janice Hadlow, Jeff Ford, Richard Klein and James Hunt will feature in the 2011 Controllers Sessions – each one guaranteed to provide an in-depth and informative look at what their channel has in store for viewers in the future, whilst answering audience questions.

The stars of ITV2’s multiplatform phenomenon and runaway success, The Only Way is Essex are joined by producers and commissioners to talk vajazzling, spray tanning, and the blurring of fact and fiction.

The stars and creators of the massive ratings and critical success Downton Abbey will be deconstructing its popularity, examining its narrative structure and its modern appeal, as well as exclusively previewing the new series – a must see for all fans.

Award-winning actress, writer and new entrant to the British comedy pantheon, Miranda Hart, will give a masterclass covering the creative process and the future of comedy.

Journalist and presenter Miriam O’Reilly joins a panel discussion examining the relationship between older women and television in Too Old for HD? The session will explore the different ways TV women have adapted – or not – with the changing face of television.

In a year when new boundaries have been pushed in comedy programmes, 1980s light entertainment legend, Jim Davidson, reflects on the industry that loved him, supported him but ultimately rejected him, as he discusses the changing nature of acceptability in comedy and television as a whole.

Sofie Gråbøl, star of hit Danish crime thriller (and breakout BBC4 success) The Killing is joined by producer Piv Bernth to celebrate Sarah Lund, the cult following for the programme and everyone’s favourite jumpers.

MGEITF will kick off with an opening session guaranteed to have the audience laughing in their seats as Family Fortunes takes to the stage as you’ve never seen it before. Vernon Kaye will host this special edition of everyone’s favourite gameshow, with commissioning “families” from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky competing to demonstrate their superior understanding of TV audiences, with prizes, audience participation and much, much more!

The Arqiva Channel of the Year Awards will be jointly voted for by festival delegates, MediaGuardian readers and members of the public, by viewing videos and completing an online survey designed by new research partner GfK Media. 2011 marks the first year that Indies can enter the awards to showcase the shows and talent that they feel deserve industry acknowledgment, with the introduction of three new awards; Cross Platform Innovation Award, Producer or Director Debut and Indie of the Year.

Advisory Chair of the Festival, George Entwistle, said:  “The television industry is in an exciting place and this year’s Festival is going to be fun, it’s going to be frenetic, and you’ll have some tough choices to make between the four concurrent content streams, not to mention workshops, screenings, networking, parties and plenty of debate. I can’t wait to get to Edinburgh for what is set to be the most ambitious Festival to date.”

Director of Entertainment and Comedy at ITV and Executive Chair of the Festival, Elaine Bedell added: “Edinburgh this year is going to be an unmissable event for anyone working in the industry – this is an irresistible mix of provocative debate, and fascinating creative insight and access, making a perfect Edinburgh TV festival. And there will be more to come!”

Registration for the 2011 MGEITF is now open. The early bird rate of £500 + VAT is currently available until 24^th June. Click here for more information www.mgeitf.co.uk

LONDON, Tuesday 3rd May 2011: BBC ONE’s multi award-winning and critically acclaimed business entertainment series The Apprentice returns for a seventh series on Tuesday 10^th May, as a new line-up of corporate contenders face Lord Sugar in the battle for boardroom supremacy. Episode two of the hotly anticipated new series will be shown on Wednesday 11^th May.

From all corners of the country, Britain’s entrepreneurial elite have come to London to face the biggest challenge of their careers – embarking on a business battle over 12 tough tasks with multi-millionaire tycoon, Lord Sugar. Selected for their entrepreneurial flair and burning passion for business – Lord Sugar has spotted something in all of them but only one can succeed in proving they have the commercial acumen and business skill to be worthy of entering into a partnership with him as winner of The Apprentice 2011.

Injecting a new spin into the life-changing opportunity, this year’s successful Apprentice will no longer win a six figured salary job working in one of Lord Sugar’s businesses.  Instead the winner and their business idea will found the basis of a partnership with Lord Sugar, with an investment to the value of £250,000.

In the present period of financial recovery this year’s candidates face a series of gruelling tasks, and this year the bar has been raised as each task is based on a start up business, designed to push their skills to the limit. They are risking it all by leaving what they know behind and venturing into unfamiliar territory as they fight to launch their plan with his business backing and unequivocal guidance.

Failure is not an option and mistakes will not be forgiven as Lord Sugar wastes no time in telling his potential business partners how the hunt for a new partnership will work:

“I’m going to inject £250,000 worth of cash and value into a business, your business, and you’re going to run it. And I say you’re going to run it because don’t expect me to be doing all the work because I’m not looking for a “sleeping” partner. I’m not Saint Alan, the patron saint of bloody losers… You can look at it as a bit of an uncivil partnership, so to speak. I want you to treat this first task as if it’s your own business. Here’s something to note, this is an investment, and I want some return on my money.”

With the stakes set higher than ever, Lord Sugar and his eagle eyed advisors Nick Hewer and Karren Brady will each week be watching how the candidates perform in 12 challenging tasks.

The candidates’ CVs reveal: an inventor, a business psychologist, a former cycling champion, an estate agent, an accountant and entrepreneurs in fields as varied as creative arts, organic skincare and fast food.

Although the candidates will live in a lavish mansion and be given a taste of the high-flying life they dream of, the weeks ahead will be anything but glamorous as they roll up their tailored sleeves and embark upon weeks of hard graft with only one of them emerging triumphant.  Rivalry is intense as the 16 challengers vie for the chance to go into business with one of the world’s most renowned business moguls.

Episode one follows the candidates as they are split into two teams, each team being tasked to invest £250 in fresh fruit and vegetables in a battle to make the highest return. The candidates must buy the produce, add value to it and sell it to the public under the strict scrutiny of Nick and Karren. The decision of how to spend their money is theirs but only one factor will be considered in the first boardroom showdown – who has made the biggest return on Lord Sugar’s investment?

Series seven will see personalities clash and tempers soar as the cut-throat competition gets tougher with every task. With each task based on a business start-up, the potential apprentices will design a mobile phone application, be tested in the beauty industry, create new pet food, launch a magazine, explore the lucrative possibilities of biscuits, transform rubbish into money, start a restaurant chain and trade internationally.

For these elite professionals it is make or break time in the most daunting challenges they will ever face. With gripping boardroom showdowns and determined candidates, this series promises to be the most intense and unpredictable yet.

The money is on the table and the boss is in the boardroom but who will win to become this year’s Apprentice?

Ultimate fan show, The Apprentice: You’re Fired! will also be making a welcome return to BBC Two immediately after the main show with host Dara O Briain in the chair. Each week the fired candidate is interrogated by business experts, celebrity fans of the show and a studio audience of viewers.

The BBC Apprentice website – www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice – will feature clips from each episode and exclusive footage of each of the 16 candidates, filmed during the selection process. Viewers will be able to catch up with events surrounding the show in the official blog, a daily source of information for all things Apprentice, featuring the best of Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

The Apprentice is a talkbackTHAMES production for BBC ONE. Michele Kurland is Executive Producer, Mark Saben is Series Editor. Jo Wallace is the Executive Editor for the BBC.

The Apprentice will air on BBC One, BBC HD, the BBC’s high definition channel and BBC One HD and will be repeated on BBC Three.

MEET THE GIRLS

Edna Agbarha

Age: 36 Occupation: Business Psychologist Lives: London

One of ten siblings, London born Edna rose from working life as a teenager on her uncle’s Covent Garden market stall to her first position as a Business Psychologist and coach. Edna holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology, two Masters degrees and enjoys cycling in her free time.

She says: “Weak people in business are a waste of space and a limp handshake is unforgiveable.”

Ellie Reed

Age: 33 Occupation: Managing Director – Construction Recruitment Lives: Yorkshire

The Bradford born entrepreneur started her working life with a paper round and eventually went on to start a new business during a recession, playing a crucial role in helping the company become one of the most successful in its market. Golf lover Ellie describes herself as ‘positive, fun and driven’ and once chased a burglar out of her house at 17.

She says: “I don’t like lazy people… dole dossers that don’t want to work. I don’t like posh kids who have everything on a plate.”

Felicity Jackson

Age: 23 Occupation: Entrepreneur Creative Arts Lives: London

Felicity worked at a hairdressers as a teenager before going into children’s entertainment and eventually setting up her own company specialising in career development for actors. An avid fan of soaps and a trained actress, Felicity compares herself to Kanya King and is inspired by the T-Mobile brand.

She says: “Lord Sugar will probably find it difficult to ever say anything negative to me because I always turn it round to a positive.”

Helen Louise Milligan

Age: 30 Occupation: Executive Assistant to CEO Lives: Northumberland

Stockport born Helen describes herself as ‘calm, loyal and tenacious’ and enjoys reading in her free time. A keen swimmer, she studied Law at University and climbed the ranks from part time work as a waitress to managing a restaurant before landing her role as Executive Assistant to the CEO of Greggs bakery.

She says: “I see my job as my complete life. I work 24/7. There isn’t a cut off.”

Melody Hossaini

Age: 26 Occupation: Founder & Director – Global Youth Consultancy Business Lives: Midlands

Born in Iran, Melody lived in four different countries before settling in the UK. Melody who speaks five languages, set up a renowned UK youth organisation at the age of 13 and has won the ‘Woman of the Future’ award for her voluntary work. Global Youth Sector Entrepreneur Melody has previously worked with 12 Nobel peace prize winners including Desmond Tutu, Dalai Lama, Sherin Ebadi and was trained on climate change by Al Gore.

She says: “Don’t tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon.”

Natasha Scribbins

Age: 31 Occupation: Divisional Manager – Recruitment Lives: London

German born Natasha achieved only five GCSEs but went on to graduate from University with a Bachelors Degree in International Hospitality Management. Happy to get her hands dirty Natasha worked cleaning the bakeries of a major retail chain at the age of 15 before venturing into business. An avid fitness fanatic, Natasha is inspired by the Nike brand for their representation of women in sport.

She says:”I’m like a really fine tuned switch. If I need to turn it down then I turn it down. If I need to turn it up then I turn it up.”

Susan Ma

Age: 21 Occupation: Natural Skincare Entrepreneur Lives: Croydon

Born in Shanghai, adrenaline junkie Susan moved to Australia at the age of six before eventually settling in London aged 13. With her mum having no grasp of English, Susan succeeded in getting herself into a school despite her young age and went on to study Philosophy and Economics at University. She describes herself as ‘ambitious, optimistic and easy going’. Her first ever job was working on a market stall selling skin care products which she has now turned into a lucrative business.

She says: “I’m short, sweet and smiley but when I do business I mean business.”

Zoe Beresford

Age: 26 Occupation: Project Manager – Drinks Manufacturer Lives: Cheshire

Born in Stoke on Trent, Zoe joined her family firm straight from university and played an integral role in the company’s development working in sales and marketing. Zoe, who bought a house with her sister at the age of just 12, describes her attitude as not ‘why’ but ‘why not’. Zoe was awarded the ‘Rolls-Royce Manufacturing Technology Prize’ for the highest dissertation mark in the school of engineering.

She says: “I will do whatever it takes to win.”

MEET THE BOYS

Alex Britez Cabral

Age: 28 Occupation: Estate Agent Manager Lives: London

Motorbike enthusiast Alex who lived in Paris as a child, describes himself as ‘ambitious, driven, and extremely focused’. Born and raised in London, Alex’s first job was making tea in a small estate agents before becoming a thriving agent himself. His greatest achievement is taking a business losing money and turning it around to a fast growing profitable business within twelve months.

He Says: “Fear is a great motivator. If you are successful, you are unpopular, so unpopularity is a good thing.”

Edward Hunter

Age: 25 Occupation: Accountant Lives: Reading

Half-British and half-Afghan, Reading born and raised Edward’s first job was as a gardener at the age of 12. He successfully applied for a role in a global professional services firm headquartered in London straight after university and was hired as Senior Associate in the audit team before becoming an accountant at a FTSE 30 energy company. Trained at one of the world’s leading accountancy firms, Edward describes himself as a ‘man with strength of character and conviction who is honest and direct’.

He Says: “I’m the wheeler dealer who accidentally became a finance professional and wants out.”

Gavin Winstanley

Age: 27 Occupation: Managing Director – opticians Lives: Liverpool

Gavin’s first foray into working life was as a salesman at a high street clothing store and was made a manager at the age of 16. A passionate football fan, Gavin started up his own online opticians, which now has two high-street stores, after noticing the profit margins on glasses when working in a London department store.

He Says: “I want to be a big name in UK business…..I’m everything. I’m all mouth. I’m a doer. I’m a leader.”

Glenn Ward

Age: 28 Occupation: Senior Design Engineer Lives: Hertfordshire

Glenn Ward took apart and rebuilt an entire computer aged 8 and his entrepreneurial streak ensued when he began washing cars in his local area at age 14. An amateur footballer, Glenn cites Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg as his inspiration and describes himself as ‘an intelligent man with a dry sense of humour’ who can ‘read between the lines’.

He Says: “Aggression isn’t the best form of strength…I bring a marriage of technical thinking with a bit of salesman bravado.”

Jim Eastwood

Age: 32 Occupation: Sales & Marketing Manager Lives: Northern Ireland

Jim started work in his father’s fish & chip shop chipping potatoes from the age of nine and went on to  maintain top sales performances as a Sales and Marketing Manager. Jim, who was All Ireland cycling champion as a teenager, champions Richard Branson and describes himself as ‘driven, self-motivated, resilient and an eternal optimist.’

He Says: “I’m not a show pony or a one-trick pony, I’m not a jack-ass or a stubborn mule, and I’m definitely not a wild stallion that needs to be tamed. I am the champion thoroughbred that this process requires.”

Leon Doyle

Age: 26 Occupation: Fast Food Marketing Entrepreneur Lives: Leeds

Harrogate born Leon, a former paper boy and lorry driver, describes himself as ‘charming, genuine and honest’.  Leon, who survived a near fatal fall from a tree at the age of 12 once completed the Great North Run for charity. A Director and Founder of an online takeaway ordering site and publishing business, Leon notes Richard Branson and Apple as inspirational.

He Says: “I don’t like your gimmicky salesman who thinks he can sell ice to an Eskimo. Chances are he probably can’t, and why would an Eskimo buy ice”.

Tom Pellereau

Age: 31 Occupation: Inventor Lives: London

London born Tom’s first job was working on a farm sorting agricultural bulbs from mud. A keen inventor and sports enthusiast, Tom succeeded in taking a prototype made in his kitchen to the shelves of two leading pharmacy outlets in the UK. He describes himself as ‘creative, adventurous, loyal and enthusiastic’, and cites Thomas Edison as an icon.

He Says: “For me the Apprentice is a bit like the Olympics or the World Cup for entrepreneurs… I want to challenge myself, find out if I am ready to step up to this level.”

Vincent Disneur

Age: 29 Occupation:  Sales Manager – Telecoms Software Lives: Canterbury

Half-Belgian and half-Swiss, Glasgow-born Vincent is a film buff and frequent traveler with a penchant for theatre. The self confessed perfectionist who was a Liverpool mascot as a child, names Bill Gates and Richard Branson as role models and would love to have been the brains behind Microsoft.

He Says: “My positive approach and very good looks make me stand out from the crowd.”

The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival is inviting broadcasters and Indies to enter for this year’s Arqiva Channel of the Year Awards. All festival delegates will be able to cast their vote before attending the live ceremony on 27^th August at The Balmoral, Edinburgh.

Last year, Channel 4 won Terrestrial Channel of the Year for the first time since 2006, ending BBC One’s three year winning streak.

Non-Terrestrial Channel of the Year was awarded to BBC Three. Terrestrial Programme of the Year was awarded to the critically-acclaimed BBC One comedy Outnumbered, with E4’s multi award-winning The Inbetweeners winning Non-Terrestrial Programme of the Year following their 2009 Network and Fast Track Programme Award, which last year went to Misfits, E4’s cult, black comedy.

This year, the awards have been extended to eight categories with three new additions.

2011 marks the first year that Indies can enter the awards to showcase the shows and talent that they feel deserve industry acknowledgement, with the introduction of three new awards including Indie of the Year.

The Cross Platform Innovation Award rewards ideas that have spanned more than one platform or have used interactive technologies alongside television in new and exciting ways. They are for new products, content propositions or technologies that are genuinely taking the medium of television in a new direction. Anyone can enter – broadcaster, indie, specialist digital company, either on their own or as part of a team.  As part of the entry criteria we will ask the entrant to state any relevant collaboration between content, technology or platform company.

The Producer or Director Debut Award is an opportunity for Indies and in-house production departments to showcase new talent who made their debut between 1^st July 2010 and 30^th June 2011, and reflect their values through innovative programmes.

Louise Benson, Festival Director commented: “We’re really excited to announce the call for entries for the 10^th annual Arqiva Channel of the Year Awards. The addition of the three new categories allows more companies and individuals to submit their work for recognition and the Cross Platform Innovation Award shows that the TV Festival is acknowledging the many platforms that compliment TV in exciting and innovative ways.”

All non-terrestrial channels are being invited to enter for the Digital Channel of the Year and Digital Programme of the Year awards by submitting a two-minute showreel to the MGEITF office. Terrestrial channels, meanwhile, will be invited to submit a five-minute showreel and provide information on programming, commercial success, innovation, successful targeting, channel branding, broadband content and interactive services.

The showreel should showcase the best of the channel and include programming which has been broadcast or is due to transmit between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. The deadline for submissions is Thursday 21^st April 2011.

All entries will be available to view on the festival website from late April when voting will open. Voters, made up of festival delegates, MediaGuardian readers and members of the public will vote by viewing videos and completing an online survey designed by new research partner GfK Media. The winners will be at the Arqiva Channel of the Year Awards ceremony on 27^th August, in Edinburgh.

All GfK Media voters are offered the chance of winning a delegate pass and accommodation for the Festival.

Now in its 10th consecutive year, the Arqiva Channel of the Year Awards is in recognition of the increasingly competitive and often challenging market that today’s TV companies operate in, and to celebrate the creative, innovative and commercial solutions that both channels and production companies present. For details of previous winners click here

Press Contact: Taylor Herring PR

LONDON, Friday 25th February 2011: The opportunity of a lifetime for teenage tycoons returns as multi-millionaire and self made businessman, Lord Sugar invites the UK’s most ambitious and driven teenagers to apply for series 2 of the Junior Apprentice.

Lord Sugar will be looking for candidates with real potential and the belief that they have the capability, determination and raw business talent to take on the challenge and be the one to win access to a fund worth £25,000.

The fund will go towards kick-starting his or her business career, and will be tailored to their individual career prospects and development.

Lord Sugar said: “Following the success of the first series we knew Junior Apprentice had to return.  It is an unparalleled opportunity for young people to learn lessons that aren’t necessarily taught in classrooms.  I look forward to finding the tycoons of tomorrow as they often put the adults to shame!”

To be eligible to apply you must be aged at least sixteen years of age on or before 30th June 2011 and be no older than seventeen years of age by 31st October 2011.

Applications should go to: https://apprentice.fremantlemedia.com/juniorapprentice/

Over 28,000 applied for the first series of Junior Apprentice with Arjun Rajyagor crowned winner.

Junior Apprentice is a talkbackTHAMES production for BBC ONE.

Press Contact: Taylor Herring PR