A Leeds student Facebook page was first to hear the news.
Students are known for their weird and wonderful culinary inventions. Whether you lived off pasta for the first year of halls or all you know how to do is put frozen food in the oven, students are often known for their lack of invention in the kitchen.
Apparently, finding the kitchen a challenge makes you the perfect candidates to get five minutes of fame in Leeds.
Image: ITV Studios
ITV Studios is looking for 18 - 30 year olds in Leeds that struggle to muster up anything in the kitchen as part of a new television series.
The show is casting for individuals that struggle in the kitchen and, of course, are happy to share that with the world.
The call for potential contestants was shared on the Leeds Students' Group this week and has piqued plenty of interest over the last few days.
"ITV Studios is looking for people aged 18-30 to take part in a huge new reality / competition series which see's 10 people living together who are useless in the kitchen! With celebrity guests, different challenges throughout the show and a big cash prize to be won!
"If interested in finding out more details or would like to nominate someone, please comment below, send me a message or drop an email to samuel.lynn@itv.com".
Despite advertising on the student page, it seems that anyone within these age brackets can apply for the show.
As you'd imagine, students aplenty were keen to apply, even if it meant confessing to their lack of culinary skills.
One said "So Big Brother student edition, I'm down" and another asked "can [we] dumb down your kitchen skills in order for an hour of fame?" with others chipping in tagging their friends with statements like "I reckon you could win, the way u cook those frozen nuggets is incredible".
Although nothing has appeared on the ITV website for the programme yet, the Facebook post gives details about how candidates can apply for a spot on the show.
Last month, Channel 4 were also on the lookout for TV chefs in the making, though they were hoping for a professional level of cooking.
Entitled Come Dine With Me: The Professionals, Channel 4 has been looking for restaurants that can serve up the best food in town and share it on national television.
Those hopeful to make it on to the cult TV show will have to apply via Multi Story Media and email cdwm@multistory.tv, for more information you can visit the Come Dine With Me Facebook page.
Meadowhall has just welcomed a brand-new JD Sports Store - and it is absolutely mega.
Trainer and sportswear lovers, this one's for you as JD Sports has just opened the doors to its newest store.
Located in Meadowhall shopping centre on the Lower Level of the High Street, the new store is almost triple its previous size and spans a whopping 29,225 sq ft.
Shoppers can now browse an ever bigger selection of clothing, footwear and sportswear from big brands like Nike, Montirex, New Balance, Adidas and Berghaus just to name a few.
Image: The Sheff
To make your shopping experience even smoother, the new store features self-service tills so you can be in and out within a flash.
To celebrate the opening, Chunkz and Kenny from popular Youtube collective Beta Squad officially opened the store today and held a meet and greet for fans.
Image: The Sheff
And the celebrations don't stop there, as from Friday 31 July - Sunday 2 August customers can get involved in JD's Spin-to-Win, with the chance to win gift cards, trainers and JD-branded merchandise.
Not only that, but Montirex will be hosting games all-weekend-long.
And if you can't make it that weekend, then do not fear. As on Friday 7 - Sunday 9 August, The Crep Protect truck will be rolling into Meadowhall giving out free goodie bags for customers who sign up to JD Status and follow Crep Protect.
Image: The Sheff
Sneaker Throne will also be offering a shoe-cleaning experience, with demonstrations showing customers how to keep their trainers fresh using products available in-store and goodie bags will be on offer which will also include tokens to play the Cop & Flop game.
So, what are you waiting for? We'll see you there for a fresh new fit.
Shortlist for 2026 Mercury Prize announced with several northern names making the cut
Clementine Hall
The shortlist for the 2026 Mercury Prize has officially landed - and it's another huge year for music from the north.
The prestigious annual award, which celebrates the very best British and Irish albums released over the past 12 months, has unveiled its 12 nominated records ahead of this year's ceremony in Newcastle this October.
Among the biggest talking points is a first-ever Mercury Prize nomination for music legend and northern icon Sir Paul McCartney, whose latest album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane has earned him a place on the shortlist.
Elsewhere representing the north, Newcastle jazz collective Knats have been shortlisted for A Great Day In Newcastle while jungle pioneer Nia Archives, who comes from Bradford, is recognised for her acclaimed album Emotional Junglist.
Image: Audio North
Another artist flying the Newcastle flag is JADE with her debut solo album That's Showbiz Baby!, whilst other notable nominations include Olivia Dean, RAYE and and the charity compilation HELP(2) from War Child Records.
The full 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist is:
Paul McCartney – The Boys Of Dungeon Lane
Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
RAYE – This Music May Contain Hope
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream
Dove Ellis – Blizzard
Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle
Kojey Radical – Don't Look Down
JADE – That's Showbiz Baby!
Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist
Suede – Antidepressants
War Child Records – HELP(2)
This year's Mercury Prize ceremony will return to Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Thursday 22 October after the city successfully hosted the awards for the first time last year.
The 2025 event saw hometown hero Sam Fender take home the coveted prize for People Watching, and who knows - maybe The Toon will bag another prize for a hometown hero.
Sophie Smith -
16th February 2022 
