Geordie stars Ant and Dec have spoken of their road from Byker Grove to the Baftas as they launched a new programme to help young people find work in the media and entertainment industry.
The Britain's Got Talent hosts, who won best entertainment show at the Baftas for Saturday Night Takeaway, were in Newcastle to launch their Making it in Media programme at The Prince’s Trust.
The TV duo surprised a group of 16 to 25-year-olds who were starting the two-week programme, and spoke to them about their career and their route to success. The course will provide the young people with expert training on topics such as editing, camera work, script writing and digital skills.
Read More: Ant and Dec win BAFTA TV Award for Entertainment Programme after being convinced they'd be beaten
The youngsters will also gain experience of putting on their own TV production, receive advice from industry experts and build their confidence as well as general skills for work. The aim of the programme is to help those enrolled to find jobs or go into training.
Speaking to ChronicleLive, Ant said: "We started this course because we were given an opportunity - two 13-year-olds lads - and we come from working class backgrounds, both from Newcastle, just up the road here, and someone took the chance on us many years ago. And we want to give that opportunity to somebody else and other young people.
"We were two lads who were passionate about telly and the media but we didn't know how to get into it. We were given this golden opportunity with Byker Grove and we just want to give that opportunity to the next generation."
Dec added: "We thought there must be more people like us in the North East with the same enthusiasm for the industry, for creating entertainment, so wanted to pass on the same opportunity that we got and give people a leg up and open the door for them and show them there's a whole world there - and if we can do it, anybody can do it."
The TV presenters took time out to speak to the young people and offer advice as they prepared for the course.
Ant said: "The best advice we gave them was - be yourselves. We want to hear from you. You're the next generation, you're really powerful, you're the people who should be making telly, we should be hearing from you. We want you on screen and behind the camera, telling us about your region, about yourselves, giving us your voice.
"Sometimes it takes somebody else to say that to you, for you to realise just how important you are. You can think of yourself as very irrelevant when you are a teen or in your early 20s. But you are not. The power is theirs, it's in their hands."
The lads then spoke about winning the Bafta on Sunday night and reflected on their career journey.
"We were in London last night and we picked up the Bafta award for best entertainment programme for Saturday Night Takeaway," said Dec. "Now rewind 25 years - and we were here in the North East, we were both at Newcastle College and we didn't know what we wanted to do and where our lives would take us.
"So there is a trodden path, here from the North East to the Bafta awards. We wanted to show those young people that we've trodden that path and it's there for them if they want it. There is a route to the Baftas and there is a route to the Oscars if that's where they want to go. They just need to go for it."
The course will culminate with an afternoon of interviews at a Prince’s Trust Get Hired event at PROTO in Gateshead on May 27. And Ant and Dec are urging North East businesses to become involved in the programme by offering placements, work experience or entry-level jobs in the industry.
Interested businesses with entry level jobs or internship opportunities in the digital, media and entertainment industries can find out how to get involved by contacting stephanie.greenwell@princes-trust.org.uk at The Prince’s Trust.
The Prince’s Trust helps tens of thousands of young people each year to build their confidence and skills, and help them into jobs. Three in four young people on Prince’s Trust programmes move into work, education or training. To find out more ring 0800 842 842 or visit their website at princes-trust.org.uk.
Read Next:
