BBC Creator Lab and BBC Sport have kicked off the search to find a brand-new BBC football expert. 12 of the UK’s most-passionate football fanatics, 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.
Last Pundit Standing, produced by Boom Social (part of ITV Studios) and JLA Productions, will be shown on BBC Three and iPlayer. It 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.
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, added: “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”.
James Allcott, co-host, said: “I’ve always believed in the depth of talented new voices that are all over the country, giving their unique and authentic perspectives on the game of football. So I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of what will be a huge opportunity to showcase that wide range of talent with this series. The mix of charisma, intelligence and work ethic is clear to see in our ambitious contestants. It’s going to be a fierce battle with a special prize at the end of it to become a BBC pundit.”
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.
Dominic Burns, head of operations, TikTok UK, Ireland & Nordics said: “Last Pundit Standing is celebrating a whole new generation of creators who are shaping the cultural conversation around football and what it means to be a sports fan today. TikTok is proud to work alongside BBC Creator Lab to champion emerging digital talent and to be a platform where passion and creativity can thrive.”
Cai Morgan, head of digital for Boom and series executive producer, commented: “Football off the pitch is being reshaped by a new wave of incredible content creators from all over the world, and this series taps right into that energy. It’s been an amazing ride helping BBC Sport search for their next big voice who lives and breathes football.”
