CBBC Plans Political Reality Show

LONDON, September 11: CBBC
and political commentator Jonathan Dimbleby will lead a nationwide search across
the U.K. to find the next great leader among the country’s youth in the new
series tentatively titled Election.

Ten children will have
their leadership skills tested, culminating in a face-off between the two
finalists in the House of Commons. Participants aged between 11 and 14 from
across the U.K. will undergo rigorous and character-revealing exercises, and
will be moulded, mentored and shaped in their quest for the top spot.

Executive producer Matt
Paice said: "Britain's
young people don't get much good press. In this series, ten of the brightest
and best are given the chance to prove they are worthy leaders. This next
generation of political hot-shots shows the rest of us their passion for
changing Britain for the better."

Anne Gilchrist, the controller
of CBBC, said: "We hope that Election will help engage young people with politics. Not in a party political
sense but by helping them see for themselves what it takes to be a great leader
and how it is possible to change and influence the world around them."

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski