young talent

The nationwide hunt will be led by production company Fully Focused, who are searching for the next generation of stars, including  presenters, actors and comedians.

The aim is to uncover talent from across the country and find people from a range of backgrounds, none of whom have any substantial mainstream or terrestrial broadcast experience.

Those selected will be given training to help them develop and will be given exposure on E4.

There will be the opportunity to work across digital content, social media, in-vision continuity and even star in new shows.

Ashley had his first experience in front of the camera as an X Factor finalist with boy band The Risk shortly after graduating from Cambridge University.

After leaving the music show during the live finals, he was asked to front a documentary on life in the care system and his own experiences in care. It was this experience working on the BBC Three documentary that sparked his ambition to become a journalist.

The scheme partners senior news operators which in the past has included Channel 4’s Matt Frei and BBC broadcaster Jeremy Bowen, with journalists who are in the early stages of their career.

Now in its sixth year, the Trust is expanding its selection criteria to include those entering journalism from non-traditional routes.