MediaCity-based BBC Sport and the BBC Creator Lab have kicked off Last Pundit Standing, a search for a brand-new BBC football expert for the broadcaster.
12 of the UK’s most-passionate fans, who love creating content about the beautiful game on their social media channels, have been selected to battle for a coveted role as a BBC Sport contributor.
BBC Creator Lab is a talent search scheme, in collaboration with TikTok, for social and digital creators with an interest in developing a career in television.
Last Pundit Standing, produced by Boom Social (part of ITV Studios) and JLA Productions, will be co-hosted by ex-Premier League player Troy Deeney and leading football YouTuber James Lawrence Allcott. The series will see the potential pundits whittled down through a series of high-stakes tasks to see who will make it all the way to the final whistle and emerge victorious. The show will take place at iconic football locations as the creators are challenged by some of the biggest names in the game.
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The line up has been confirmed as:
- Toby Addison @blindtobes
- Ally Tomlinson @ally.tom7
- Cathal Traquair @calluketraquair
- Fuad Abdul Aziz @vipersport
- Rukiah Ally @Rukiah.ally2
- Jess Watkins _jesswatkins
- Raees Mahmood @pythaginboots
- Reggie Yembra @reggieyembra
- Nancy Baker @nancebaker
- Nahyan Chowdhury @nahyan.chowdhury
- Lia Lewis @lia.lewis
- Oscar Browning @oscarbrowning
Alex Kay-Jelski, BBC director of sport, said: “These are 12 of the brightest football creators out there, the future of the football media industry. Seeing who comes out on top and lands the job should make great viewing.”
Fiona Campbell, BBC controller of youth audience, BBC iPlayer and BBC Three said: “The BBC is a huge believer in investing in new talent. Through this unique collaboration between BBC Creator Lab and BBC Sport, Last Pundit Standing offers a unique opportunity to showcase 12 of the UK’s most passionate sports creators from right across the UK. We can’t wait for them to bring their passion and production excellence to the BBC and iPlayer.”
Co-host Deeney added: “I’m absolutely buzzing to co-host Last Pundit Standing. There’s something really special about the energy that surrounds an exciting new show like this. We’re bringing together some amazing creators in incredible locations, with some huge special guests. I can’t wait to dive in and have some fun over the series.”
Last Pundit Standing (7×15’) is a co-production between Boom Social (part of ITV Studios) and JLA Productions for BBC Three and iPlayer. The digital first project was commissioned by Fiona Campbell, BBC controller of youth audience, BBC iPlayer and BBC Three, and Alex Kay-Jelski, BBC director of sport. The commissioning editor for the BBC is Nasfim Haque, head of content, BBC Three and the BBC commissioning executives are Ciara Murray and Maeve McLoughlin. Cai Morgan is the head of digital for Boom and executive producer. The series producer is Luke Rudland and Katie Fazackerley Mason is head of production for Boom.
Transmission details will be announced in due course.
