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

Royal Marine cook Jeremy Hooper (33) and his wife Jane (29), a trainee teacher from Devon, have won BBC Two’s The Restaurant.

The couple seen winning in tonight’s programme will join forces with Raymond Blanc to open a new restaurant in Thame close to Raymond’s renowned Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons.

Says Jane: “We have won the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s what we’ve always dreamed of doing but we never imagined our dreams would become reality so soon, or with such an amazing mentor.

“We couldn’t wish for a more well-respected, knowledgeable, and experienced mentor than Raymond. We know that we still have a lot to learn and that it’s going to be very hard work, but we know we’ve got a great teacher and we are ready for our next challenge!”

Adds Jeremy: “We worked very hard and took the competition very seriously, and to win was an amazing achievement for us. We intend to focus and be 100% driven on making our partnership with Raymond a successful one.”

Over eight weeks viewers have seen the couple battle it out with the other contestants for the unique opportunity to go into business with legendary chef and restaurateur Raymond Blanc.

Says Raymond: “Jeremy and Jane have a passion. Jeremy’s background means that he can cook, but as restaurateurs consistently they have to be able to run front of house and make money. Over the weeks they have become a driven team who are able to pass on their knowledge to their staff.”

Adds Raymond: “I have been enormously impressed by how much effort all the couples have put in to the competition – their determination to make it work has been obvious.”

Nine couples started out in the competition and to test their skills they had to run their own restaurants for the very first time.

In the final, to help him make the ultimate and difficult decision, Raymond told the finalists Jeremy and Jane, and Laura and Jess to take their restaurants to his home town of Besançon in France – the place where he grew up and started his own career.

The two couples were shocked to learn that they had less than 48 hours to reopen their own restaurant there for one night and introduce the French to their British cuisine.

This proved to be the toughest of all the challenges the couples have been given during the series, and there were plenty of tears and tantrums as the kitchen and front of house struggled to cope with the packed restaurants, pleasing Raymond’s family and, most importantly, impressing the woman who taught him to cook … his mother Anne Marie.

Brighton-based designer Sarah Lu entered the Dragons’ Den tonight armed with a set of small canvas dolls, each with the glaring face of a Dragon, hoping to secure £35k investment in return for 25% for her mini-me, replica doll business.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on a Youdoodoll at the weekend and it is such a novel and fun product, I was sure that the Dragons would jump at the chance to back Sarah’s company.

I was right, and tonight Sarah managed to ignite a bidding war between Dragons, Deborah Meaden and James Caan. James offered Sarah the full amount of money for 40% of her business, Deborah offered the same money, but wanted a 45% stake.

In the end Sarah decided to accept Deborah’s offer due to the retail expertise that came with the cash.

I look forward to seeing the Youdoodoll on shops shelves in time for Christmas, I have loads of nieces who would just love them!

Famed for their business prowess rather than their childish sense of humour, will the Dragons see the funny side of Sarah Lu’s creation the ‘Youdoodoll’, or will the small canvas dolls each customised with a photo of a Dragon’s face, fail to amuse and incur the wrath of the Dragons?

At 9pm on Monday 22 October on BBC Two’s Dragons’ Den, Youdoodoll will be seen on UK television for the very first time as Brighton-based designer Sarah Lu climbs the stairs armed with a set of small canvas dolls, each with the glaring face of a Dragon, hoping to secure £35k investment in return for 25% for her mini-me, replica doll business.

I don’t know yet whether or not the product attracts the backing of the Den, but after being sent one of the dolls to have a play with last week, I can tell you that it should.

On first examination,. the doll looks like any other, except for the fact that it lacks a face. But what makes this doll different is that in the box is an iron on transfer sheet, onto which you can print a photograph of your child, your loved one, or your favourite Hollywood hunk. Just imagine, going to bed with a mini Brad Pitt…..see the possibilities?

Proud owners of the first dolls have let their imagination run wild as you will see when the Youdoodoll gallery launches at www.youdoodoll.co.uk. Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Depp and George Bush being popular choices so far, although Amy Winehouse looks quite magnificent too.

Soon to be available at www.youdoodoll.co.uk and priced £19.99 (+P&P/UK) each, creator Sarah Lu is also currently in negotiations with a number of high street retailers to stock Youdoodolls in time for the festive rush this Christmas.

Speaking about her time in the Den, Sarah Lu said: “I was absolutely terrified before going into the Den – so much so that I told one of the crew members that I was going to grab hold of his leg and he’d have to drag me in there kicking and screaming. Hour and half later when I emerged, I practically collapsed I was so tired!”

The final nine classical musicians have been selected to attend the Classical Star Music Academy, it was revealed last night (Tuesday 16 October) at the end of the first episode of BBC Two’s exciting new series Classical Star.

For one exceptional young musician, the opportunity of a lifetime is one step nearer, as the judges: Charles Hazlewood, Chi-chi Nwanoku; Steve Abbott and Jason Lai revealed the nine contestants selected to attend the Music Academy under the watchful eye of Classical Star Music Director Matthew Barley.

They are:

* Danielle Audley-Wiltshier
* Sophie Cashell
* Karen Geoghegan
* Victoria Goldsmith
* Emily Hooker
* Ben MacDougall
* Tyler Rix
* Jeanine Thorpe
* Ian Watt

One of these talented youngsters will win a top record deal with Universal Classics and Jazz, and the chance to launch their dream career.

The series continues next Tuesday 23 October at 9pm and follows the contestants as they stay at the academy to hone their skills and learn the new ones they will need to become well-rounded musicians and recording artists.

Acclaimed musician and mentor Matthew Barley will take them through a series of masterclasses including recording, performance, presentation, collaboration, and improvisation.

Over the next three weeks, viewers will see the students perform a final challenge before the panel of judges, which sees two contestants heading home, leaving just three for the grand final.

The three have just six weeks to prepare for the final performance that has the potential to make them classical music superstars and change their lives forever.

The finalists

Danielle Audley-Wiltshier from Chesterfield found a cornet in a cupboard when she was four and started having lessons. She moved on to the trumpet and loves the versatility of the instrument and how it plays in a wide range of styles including jazz, blues, orchestral and classical. Danielle has a wide range of musical influences including rock, techno and jazz and believes that classical music isn’t for geeks as most people think. At 14, Danielle is the youngest student in the Classical Star Fame Academy and the only brass player.

Sophie Cashell, 19, from County Dublin in Ireland started playing the violin when she was just four-years-old but turned her attentions to the piano when she was five. With a performance in Wigmore Hall already under her belt, Sophie’s ultimate ambition is to have a performance career with solo and chamber music. In her spare time she reads, listens to a wide range of music including Radiohead and The Kinks, and is an avid supporter of the Irish rugby team.

Karen Geoghegan, 19, grew up with her musical family in West Lothian. She started playing the violin aged six but discovered the bassoon on a shelf when she was 12 and just gave it a go. Since then she won the concerto competition at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and now studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Karen loves the versatility of the bassoon and wants to show the world its beauty as a solo instrument, something not often seen.

Victoria Goldsmith, 16, is half Russian and divides her time between her studies in Russia and her family home in Chesterfield in Essex. She discovered her gift for the violin when she was 13 whilst studying in New York. She is passionate about music having played the piano since she was three or four. Inspired by a visit to a music school in St Petersburg, Victoria took up the violin when she was six-and-a-half. Also a fan of jazz, Victoria loves performing in public and hopes this competition will be the beginning of her career as a musician and the freedom to develop as a musician.

Emily Hooker, 18, from Woodham in Surrey was introduced to the piano at the age of six by her parents. Their instinct that she may enjoy it was absolutely right as she started to win local competitions. Now she has a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music and spends five hours a day practicing. Her musical highlight so far was a performance she gave last year in the Czech Republic. If she can’t fulfil her dream of playing in the greatest concert halls across the world, she would love to be a sports commentator.

Ben MacDougall, 19, from Appleby-in-Westmoreland, Cumbria, grew up surrounded by music. His aunt, a professional opera singer gave him singing lessons at an early age while he waited until his hands were big enough to play the flute. For Ben a future outside music is not a possibility and his dream in 20 years time would be to make the flute – and classical music – mainstream in popular culture. His career highlight is being complimented by William Bennett when he performed at the BFS International Convention.

Tyler Rix, 14, has played the saxophone since the age of nine. Tyler, from North London, is also a talented footballer and was signed to West Ham when he was eight and was part of this year’s winning English School’s FA National Cup team. Tyler progressed quickly once he started playing the saxophone and recently was proud to have played as part of Junior Guildhall’s Symphony Orchestra. As well as football, Tyler has a wide range of interests including fishing and playing pool.

Jeanine Thorpe from Framlingham in Suffolk used to sit on her grandfather’s lap and watch the Proms when she was just two, fixated by the violin. Her pleading for a violin paid off when she was given one for her fourth birthday. Jeanine, 18, now studies at the Royal College of Music and aims to be a solo artist-in-residence for a Symphony Orchestra. She believes that music shouldn’t be for perceived as music for the upper class and wants to be able to bring music to young people who haven’t had a chance to play an instrument before. She is also enjoys drama and reef diving.

Ian Watt’s passion for the guitar was sparked by Dire Straits but it was the Beatles that inspired him to take up the guitar seriously when he was nine. The 16-year-old from Fraserburgh in Scotland performed with a local rock band before he turned his attentions to the classical guitar. Ian strongly believes that people don’t appreciate the beauty in classical music or indeed listen carefully enough in a society surrounded by ugly sounds. He dreams of being an international ambassador for classical music.

The hunt for Britain’s next classical music superstar is on and, for one exceptional young musician, the opportunity of a lifetime is within reach. The winner of BBC Two’s Classical Star will win a top record deal and the chance to launch their dream career.

Acclaimed musician and Classical Star Musical Director, Matthew Barley, is searching for a top-class performer who has the ability to broaden the appeal of classical music. Aged between 12 and 19, and already at least grade 8 in their chosen instrument, the winner must have that extra-special something to impress the prestigious judging panel.

Through nationwide auditions, 18 candidates have been shortlisted but only the best nine candidates will be selected to attend the Music Academy, where Barley has developed a rigorous and demanding three-week schedule.

He will oversee an intensive programme of teaching, practice and master classes from top artists and industry specialists, all aimed at developing the contestants’ all-round performance skills and abilities.

Each week, the expert judging panel will choose two of the academy pupils who, in their view, have not made the grade and who will be sent home – until only three finalists remain.

These young musicians will have just six weeks to prepare for the final performance that has the potential to make them classical music superstars and change their lives for ever.

Academy Music Director – Matthew Barley
Cellist Matthew Barley trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Moscow Conservatoire, and his activities in performance, improvisation, cross-disciplinary projects, composition and pioneering community programmes soon developed to form a unique international career.

Matthew’s musical world has virtually no geographical, social or stylistic boundaries and he lives and breathes music education, making him the ideal choice as Music Director for the academy.

Matthew is a top soloist who has performed with some of the world’s biggest orchestras on some of the world’s greatest stages. His passion for new music has led him to première works, many of them his commissions, and many non-classical collaborations with artists including Django Bates and Julian Joseph.

Matthew has frequently worked with the BBC Proms, and has led major projects all around the world with enormous success – working very closely with the British Council.

In 1997, Matthew founded Between The Notes (BTN), a performance and education group which works with music and other arts.

BTN has been involved in major projects at the Sydney Opera House, London’s Royal Opera House (with the Royal Ballet), the International Symposium of Contemporary Music in Hong Kong, and on tour in Bangladesh, Greece, Spain, Germany, Norway, Croatia, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Belgium.

In the academy, Matthew will nurture and guide the contestants – spending each day with them as they attend masterclasses and undertake challenges. For Matthew, this role is a natural extension of his life’s work, and is his first role on prime-time television.

Thirty-three-year-old conductor Jason Lai won the BBC’s Young Conductors Workshop in February 2002 and has conducted some of the world’s top orchestras including the BBC Philharmonic, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, English Touring Opera, London Sinfonietta and the BBC Singers.

Jason started his musical studies at the age of 12 when he took cello, piano and composition lessons, which continued with the help of a scholarship at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester.

He studied at Worcester College, Oxford, where he became music director of the Oxford University Philharmonia, and then went on to achieve a Masters in composition and a Diploma in cello at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

As a young star prodigy himself, Jason has first-hand experience of the pressure of competitions, the qualities needed to emerge as a winner and the determination and dedication it takes to carve out a successful career in the classical music industry.

At the age of seven, Chi-chi Nwanoku discovered music on a neighbour’s piano and was so inspired by its sounds and possibilities that she began her education as a classical musician. She played piano and took up double bass at 18, after an injury ruled out her other passion – athletics.

Chi-chi studied at the Royal Academy of Music, in London, and has become one of England’s most sought-after double bassists – developing a worldwide reputation as one of the finest exponents on her instrument today.

She is currently Principal double bass with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment – of which she is also a founder member – and Endymion Ensemble and Professor of Double Bass Historical Studies at The Royal Academy of Music, Professor of Double Bass at Trinity College of Music in London and a visiting Professor for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

She was awarded an MBE for Services to Music in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2001 and frequently works for BBC Radio.

Chi-chi has a wide range of musical interests, resulting in her involvement in the cutting-edge of diverse styles of performance practice and her wide repertoire of recordings.

To the judging panel, she brings a consummate knowledge of the skills and personality needed to become both a solo performer and recording artist.

One of the most prolific and dynamic musicians of his generation, Charles Hazlewood is Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra and conducts many of the great orchestras in the UK and around the world.

He has authored and conducted the music in several groundbreaking films including Vivaldi Unmasked (BBC One), The Genius Of Mozart (BBC Two and BBC Four), Beethoven (BBC Two and BBC Four) and Tchaikovsky (BBC Two and BBC Four). Charles also presents a weekly show on BBC Radio 3, Charles Hazlewood Discovering Music.

Charles’s passion to explore music of all varieties with the widest possible audience has led him to work with some of the most celebrated contemporary composers, with the rawest new South African vocal talent and at the cutting-edge of the pop music scene.

Charles has conducted over 50 world premières, and worked on projects as diverse as the recent Urban Classics – fusing five Grime MCs with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Hackney Empire.

As one of the academy judges, Charles brings an encyclopaedic knowledge of the music industry, knowing both what it takes to succeed and how to bring music to a wider audience. He will be looking out for this potential in the contestants, as well as an exceptional musical talent.