American Inventor, the brand new primetime reality show from business tycoon Peter Jones, continues exclusively on Virgin1 this week. First airing on ABC in the US and proving an instant ratings hit with an impressive 14 million viewers, American Inventor gives a once in a lifetime opportunity to aspiring inventors to truly live the American Dream. By fighting it out to
win $1m for the best new invention and hottest new retail product, viewers will see some madcap and harebrained ideas presented to the panel of business critics.

The expert judges feature one of the UK’s best known entrepreneurs – and panellist on the hit BBC2 business show Dragons’ Den – Peter Jones, who has created his own multi- million pound business empire. Joining Peter are businessman, former heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medallist George Foreman, sports entrepreneur Pat Croce and Spanx underwear creator Sara Blakely.

After casting calls in six major cites across the US –this week’s edition follows the auditions in Houston, Foreman’s home town, and Tampa – the show’s judging panel narrow down the competition to six finalists, whose inventions range from the
wacky to the heart warming.

Each finalist is then given $50,000 to develop their product, refine it and take it to the next level, culminating in a national vote to decide the winning invention. In the end it’s up to America to vote on which invention is worthy of the $1m prize.

Among the inventions on display this week are a contraption that is designed to help keep dogs fit and healthy; a piece of cooking equipment that wants to be the next George Foreman Grill; a listening device which the designer claims will revolutionise communication for the hearing impaired; a pill that changes skin colour and could give tanning parlours a run for their money; and a
modification to the everyday napkin.

American Inventor continues Tuesday 25th, 9pm On Living