Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Renowned presenter Kirsty Wark (Newsnight) is to present A Question Of Genius, a new quiz show which tests general knowledge, judgement and strategy in outwitting the competition.

Scottish-born Wark will present Question Of Genius (25 x 45-minute programems) for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Daytime from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland's Pacific Quay studios in her home town of Glasgow.

Transmission is due for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two, from Spring 2009.

The series gives competitors the opportunity to prove their expertise on a chosen subject when they face their "Question of Genius", one of the toughest questions on TV, to win a cash prize.

In order to reach this point they will need to beat their fellow contestants over a series of rounds testing their knowledge, judgement, strategy and risk-taking abilities.

The show is looking for intelligent, competitive, outgoing and charismatic personalities from across the UK.

Liam Keelan, Controller Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Daytime, says: "We're delighted to welcome Kirsty to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Daytime team based in Scotland."

Kirsty Wark adds: "I'm excited to be fronting this brand new quiz which will give competitors from across the UK the chance to prove how much of a genius they really are."

Alan Tyler, Head of Comedy and Entertainment for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland, says: "We're delighted to have secured a significant commission for Daytime with A Question Of Genius which, along with Life Of Riley and The Old Guys, enhances Glasgow's reputation as a major location of comedy and entertainment programmes."

A Question Of Genius has been commissioned by Sumi Connock and Jo Street, Daytime's newly appointed Nations Commissioning Executive.

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ series editor is Jon Murphy and the show will be produced by Gillian McNeil.

The new HD Studio A on the banks of the River Clyde has recently been the location for new network comedy sitcoms Life Of Riley (which stars Caroline Quentin and which started transmission on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One last week) and The Old Guys (starring Roger Lloyd Pack and Clive Swift and which transmits on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One later this month).

Other entertainment and children's shows will also film in Studio A as Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland ramps up its output for the networks over the next few months, as part of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's broader Network Supply Review to drive more content from the nations.

Notes to Editors

25 x 45 minutes, A Question Of Genius is due to transmit on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Spring 2009.

Auditions are being held this month.

Those who are interested, or would like more details, can email aquestionofgenius@bbc.co.uk or call 0871 664 1855. Calls cost 10p per minute from a BT landline (calls from other networks may vary and calls from mobiles will cost considerably more).

Applicants must be aged 18 or over.

LG