BBC’s nationwide hunt for Britain’s most compelling real-life stories kicks off in Middlesbrough

Sept. 28, 2009 - PRLog -- Saturday 3rd October is set to be a fun-packed day when the BBC’s My Story Road Show pulls in at Centre Square, Middlesbrough to publicise the launch of its My Story competition and nationwide hunt to find Britain’s most remarkable real-life stories.  Tales from fifteen finalists selected from across the nation who have extraordinary tales to tell on a broad range of subjects, from accomplishing goals against all odds to heroic acts of courage, will be featured on BBC One in 2010.  The competition’s five winners will also see their experiences published as paperback books.  Middlesbrough residents who have a tale to tell are invited to enter online at www.bbc.co.uk/mystory and to drop-in to watch interviews with celebrities, including actors, authors and TV presenters, sharing their own remarkable true stories.  

Visitors are invited to take part in hands-on filmmaking workshops with Video Nation, pick up story-telling tips from their local BBC team and add their own story ideas and memories to the BBC’s Idea Generator and Memory walls. Support for residents keen to create their own story will be available on the day from the BBC’s story gatherers, provided by the Open University.

No pre-booking is required and families are welcome.

Right now, the BBC is asking the public to submit their true untold real life stories in 300 – 1500 words by participating in the Roadshows and submitting their entries online.
Mark Bell, Arts Commissioner, the BBC, commented: “My Story aims to get the whole nation reading, writing and telling their most remarkable stories. The BBC believes that the arts should be accessible to all and we’re proud as a publicly funded broadcaster to be at the heart of the nation’s storytelling.”

The My Story website is packed full of videos and interactive tools to help people plan and structure their stories as well as tips on writing styles and skills. In addition, short videos presented by Nina Wadia (EastEnders) and Lenny Henry (returning to the part of Deacus) show audiences how easy it is to get started and explore simple ideas to get the creative juices flowing. There are also cameo appearances from Peter Duncan, Tara Palmer Tomkinson, Stephen K Amos and Roland Rivron.

My Story is a part of the BBC’s commitment to the arts and culture in association with Princess Productions.

The event itself opens at 10am with inspiring activities, talks and workshops. On the hour from 11am there will be five celebrity interviews with famous faces sharing their own true stories and story telling tips, including:

11am - Peter Duncan, BBC Presenter and iconic face of Blue Peter

12 noon - Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace, Big Brother 7 celebrity and author of a book about her own remarkable life, 'Surviving Guns, Gangs and Glamour'.

The afternoon sessions will include Denise Robertson - writer and agony aunt for This Morning and many more. More information to follow shortly.