The search is on to find Britain’s best young speaker. Comedienne Jo Brand, performance expert and Rada tutor Jeremy Stockwell and ex-NBA basketball star and motivational speaker John Amaechi travel the UK in search of the nation’s most eloquent and inspiring teenagers, in The Speaker.

Featuring 14 to 18-year-olds, the eight-part series sees tough-talking teens, class jokers and shy, sensitive types go head to head as they learn to talk publicly and passionately about things that matter to them.

Jo, Jeremy and John start by putting youngsters through their paces in four regional auditions. Only 20 will make it through to the next stage, where they face a series of communication challenges. The contestants that don’t make the grade will be eliminated. At the end of the series, the three best candidates will face a final showdown where they must make the speech of their lives.

Helping the finalists learn and rise to the challenges from week two of the series are a group of guest mentors who offer expert tutelage and inspiration. They are: queen of the Dragons’ Den, Deborah Meaden; Earl Spencer; journalist and broadcaster Kate Silverton; and Tony Blair’s former Director of Communications and speech writer Alastair Campbell.

In episode one, the search starts at regional auditions in Glasgow and London and the judges are expecting to see every type of speech and speaker. In each venue, only five of the talented youngsters will go through to the next stage and the competition is tough. Some 160 teenagers were invited to take up the challenge to prove they can talk confidently on any subject – but only one will possess the passion, personality and conviction to become The Speaker.

Tuesday 7 April
8.00-9.00pm BBC TWO