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.
In another hit to the high streets, Claire's Accessories is shutting up shop across the UK and Ireland after entering into administration yet again.
Falling into an unfortunate financial status for the second time in less than a year, Claire's will be shutting down all of their standalone stores across Britain, along with their IE branches.
A total of 154 stores will soon disappear, with more than a thousand people set to be put out of work.
Once a mainstay up and down the country, the accessory shop known for all things jewellery, piercings and more has ceased trading effective immediately.
Announced at the start of the week and the end of the first full month of Q2, it was confirmed that Claire's closed their final locations on Monday, 27 April.
With administrators, Kroll, appointed to wrap up business proceedings, an estimated 1,300 English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh workers have now lost their jobs.
Founded in America way back in 1961, Claire's has enjoyed a presence across the Atlantic for more than three decades.
However, with various other contemporaries and cheaper online options having appeared over the years, they've struggled not just to remain profitable but to compete full stop.
They filed for bankruptcy in the US in August 2025 after having already concluded operations in Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
For many, the outcome isn't all that surprising, but it will nevertheless be a sad loss for many who have seen multiple generations visit these venues over the years.
Slam Dunk festival’s statement in full as director steps down amid allegations
Daisy Jackson
Slam Dunk festival has shared a statement confirming one of its directors has stepped down, in the wake of allegations.
The popular punk festival takes place next month across two sites, one of which is here in Leeds.
This year's line-up is set to include headline performances from the likes of Good Charlotte, Knocked Loose, Sublime, and Taking Back Sunday.
But Slam Dunk has been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week after allegations against one of its directors came to light.
Slam Dunk said in its statement, which did not get into specifics about the nature of the allegations, that the festival 'remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all employees, partners, and customers'.
They added that the director has stepped down, but 'strongly refutes' the allegations.
The statement then promised 'transparency and honesty' and said that more updates would be provided when appropriate.
Slam Dunk wrote: "We are aware of allegations published yesterday relating to one of our directors. We take these allegations seriously and understand that they may be distressing and hard to process for our community.
"Our Slam Dunk fans, staff, and artists are, as always, our top priority.
"While he strongly refutes these allegations, the director in question has agreed, in consultation with the board, to step down from Slam Dunk operations while this matter is ongoing.
"Slam Dunk remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all employees, partners, and customers.
"Our values and culture are fundamental to how we operate, and we are committed to upholding them.
"It would be inappropriate for us to comment further on an ongoing legal matter.
"However, we promise transparency and honesty to our Slam Dunk community and will provide updates when it is appropriate to do so."
Slam Dunk returns to Temple Newsam in Leeds on Sunday 24 May.
Sophie Smith -
16th February 2022 
