Could YOU be the next Egghead: Jeremy Vine launches hunt to find new contestants
THE hunt is on for a fresh pair of general knowledge whizzes to join the quiz show Eggheads - and it will be done via a talent contest style programme on BBC Two.
Jeremy Vine is taking the hunt for two new eggheads to the masses
Eggheads host Jeremy Vine will be scouring the UK for one male and one female contestant to join the panel of brainiacs in a brand new show called Make Me An Egghead.
The commission has been announced as part of the new line-up of BBC shows, revealed this week by the corporation.
Vine, 50, said: "I am proud to present one of the UK's most successful quizzes of all time and hugely excited that we are in the hunt for two more Eggheads.
"Whoever wins a place on the distinguished panel will, I guarantee, have the time of their life - getting more questions thrown at them than they ever dreamed of.
"But I know this will be a hot contest - superbrain versus superbrain in that famous studio. So if you want to be an Egghead, roll up now!"
The line-up of current Eggheads
Every week, new challengers compete against the Eggheads - now they will compete to be one!
Jeremy Vine has also starred in Strictly Come Dancing, as well as hosting his own BBC Radio 2 show
Whoever wins a place on the distinguished panel will, I guarantee, have the time of their life
Eggheads - aired on BBC Two - has been running since 2003 and sees teams from all over the UK try to beat Britain's brainiest quiz panel. The forthcoming series will be its 18th - for which the new recruits will join the remaining Eggheads Kevin Ashman and Judith Keppel.
Keppel, 73, was the first ever winner of Who Wants To Be A Millionnaire, scooping the £1m jackpot in 2000. Ashman, 56, has a vaster back-catalogue, having been champion on the likes of Mastermind, Fifteen to One, Brain of Britain and the World Quizzing Championships.
Apart from Vine's new entertainment quiz show, BBC Two will also add newly commissioned Debatable to its line-up. The show will be fronted by Irish comedian and TV personality Patrick Kielty, who will be quizzing the public following discussions with well-known faces.
Eggheads will be going into its 18th season
CJ de Mooi dancing to the correct answer on Eggheads.
Judith Keppel won Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in 2000
In 2012, Prince Charles and Camilla visited the Eggheads studio, to chat with the brainiacs
Dan McGolpin, BBC's Controller Daytime and Early-Peak, said: "I am committed to bringing through new and distinctive series to sit alongside existing favourites on BBC One.
"These new programmes will include original investigative journalism, compelling and heart-warming stories about inspirational individuals and captivating entertainment shows that will challenge even the most formidable quizzers."
Eggheads 17th series currently airs daily on BBC Two at 6pm.