BBC to Stage Second 'Fame Academy' Series

[Brett Ferino]

LONDON (Reuters) - The BBC announced on Friday it would hold another series of the talent show "Fame Academy" and pledged a one million pound bursary to help give budding pop stars the chance to make it big.

Last December David Sneddon won the first series of the show, netting him a million pound record deal, a sports car and the keys to a flat in London's Notting Hill.

Twelve contestants were whittled down to a final three with Sneddon coming out on top in a poll of viewers that attracted 14 million phone votes.

He has since had a number one hit single while two of the other former "students" have had records in the top five.

A BBC spokeswoman said exact details of the second series, including the prize, were yet to be confirmed.

Auditions, which will be open to anyone aged 18-35 "who can really sing," will start in Belfast on May 17 and run across the country until early June.

The BBC also said that profit from the phone lines and record sales from the show would be added to a "Fame Academy" bursary, created from profits made during the first series, to help performers under the age of 30 get their break.

"My chance came through Fame Academy, and I hope thousands of others get the opportunity through the one million pounds raised so far and whatever we can raise during this second series," Sneddon said.

[japfles]

Yup, Fame Academy.....that well-known Britcom