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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 1 today (Tuesday 16 August) announced details of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 1's Teen Awards 2011, which celebrate remarkable and inspirational teenagers alongside stars from the music and entertainment world.

UK singer-songwriter Pixie Lott has been confirmed as this year's headline act. She will also sit on the judging panel selecting three Teen Heroes, chosen from nominations put forward by Radio 1's listeners.

This year's Teen Awards take place at London's Wembley Arena on Sunday 9 October, 2011. The event is open to 14 to 17-year-olds and tickets will be given away free to Radio 1 listeners*.

The station also announced that it has commissioned YouGov to undertake a major poll to look at the attitudes and opinions of young people in the UK today.

The headlines from the poll will inform a discussion at Radio 1's Big Conversation, which takes place at City Hall, London on Tuesday 13 September, 2011.

The announcement was made by Ben Cooper, Acting Controller, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 1, this morning at a press launch at the station's studios in central London, followed by an on-air announcement by Fearne Cotton during her Radio 1 show.

Ben Cooper said: "Radio 1's Teen Awards is an incredibly important event for the station. This year, ahead of the event, we've invited young people, politicians and youth organisations to get involved in Radio 1's Big Conversation, which will reflect their hopes and fears for the future before we celebrate the good work so many of them do in our communities at the awards ceremony in October".

Pixie Lott added: "I presented an award at the first Teen Awards last year and was moved by the stories I heard of some truly outstanding young people. I'm thrilled to be not just performing at this year's event but also getting involved in selecting this year's Teen Heroes".

Radio 1 will be partnering with youth charity The Prince's Trust, The British Youth Council and V Inspired to put on Radio 1's Big Conversation– an event that will join young people together with influential adults to discuss some of the key issues that are affecting the country’s 13 to 24-year-olds.

Piers Bradford, Commissioning Editor, Radio 1 said: "Radio 1's Poll and Radio 1's Big Conversation demonstrate the station's commitment to listening to the views of young people in Britain and giving them a voice. The findings of the poll will inform our programming, including all of our social action activity, over the next 12 months".

Winner of last year's Teen Community Hero, Alex Williams, was also present at the launch. Alex caught meningitis when he was just seven years old and lost the use of his legs. He is now a wheelchair basketball player with Olympic ambitions, a sport ambassador for his local area, is the first young ambassador for The Meningitis Trust and also helps other disabled children.

Nominations for this year's Teen Heroes can be submitted at bbc.co.uk/radio1/teenawards from 10.45am today until 5pm on Tuesday 30 August 2011. Nominees should be aged between 12 and 17.

The criteria for nomination must be that the person in question has acted in one or more of the following ways:

• acted selflessly
• inspired others
• acted with courage and bravery
• ensured a positive outcome for an individual, family member or their community

These very special teen awards will be presented alongside awards for top stars from the music and entertainment world in 2010, as voted for by Radio 1 listeners. The categories are Best British Single, Best British Album, Best British TV Show, Best British Actor, Best British Music Act and Best British Young Sports Star. Voting for these categories opens later this month.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 1's Teen Awards will air on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 1, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TV and extensive coverage will feature on bbc.co.uk/radio1.

Further acts appearing on this year's line up and details about how listeners can get hold of tickets will be revealed soon.

Notes to Editors

* Tickets for the event are free but there will be a charge to cover postage and packing

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