BBC Relaunching Children’s Writing Competition

The U.K. children’s writing competition 500 Words is being relaunched this September, supported by BBC Teach with BBC Breakfast hosting the initiative for 2023.

500 Words is a U.K.-wide competition to find the most talented young writers. It was first launched by Chris Evans on The Radio 2 Breakfast Show in 2011 and continued by Zoe Ball until 2020.

The competition has received over a million stories written by children, generating more than 440 million words to date.

The BBC is searching for teachers and librarians across the U.K. to register their interest in joining the judging panel to help choose the best entries later this year.

The entries will be split into two age categories: 5- t0 7-year-olds and 8- to 11-year-olds.

New for 2023, World Book Day ambassador Sir Lenny Henry will be making his debut on the 500 Words judging panel alongside the original judges: award-winning and best-selling authors Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Francesca Simon, Charlie Higson and former Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman.

Chief Content Officer at BBC, Charlotte Moore, said: “We are thrilled to once again host the 500 Words competition and help discover a range of young authors with big imaginations. It is fantastic that the competition will be supported by The Queen Consort, and we do hope teachers and librarians across the U.K. will get involved in this chance to help find the writers of tomorrow.”

Higson said: “I am so excited to take part in this year’s 500 Words! We can’t wait to see what stories today’s kids want to tell. I know that my fellow judges and I will be laughing, crying, gasping, and I’m sure left feeling amazed at all the talent on display.”

BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay said: “We are delighted to be championing 500 Words and look forward to the no doubt stellar entries from talented, aspiring young writers up and down the country that are sure to follow in due course.”