BB FANS

A 'fame academy' for wannabes looking to make it big on reality TV is to be launched, giving advice on how to become a reality star.

The course is available for people who think they have what it takes to become a hit on shows such as Big Brother, X Factor and Pop Idol.

Celebrity Academy will include a series of workshops delivered by reality TV experts such as 'Nasty' Nick Bateman from Big Brother and Heat magazine editor Mark Frith.

Steve Brookstein, winner of X Factor will also deliver a performance and masterclass, and round the day of workshops off with a live show.

Celebrity Academy organiser and showbiz agent Gareth James said: "The seminars and workshops are designed to provide ordinary people, some of whom we know have extraordinary talent, with the tips, expertise and experience those outside the industry generally find inaccessible."

The workshops will cover topics such as the psychology of fame, image and camera presence, and what the public sees.

Students will also be given advice on how to pass the gruelling auditions that must be faced to get on a reality TV show.

They will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of people like Anthony Hutton, who won the sixth series of Big Brother earlier this month.

Sky News
Last Updated: 10:52 UK, Thursday August 25, 2005

inthenews
Thursday, 25 Aug 2005 13:50

It seems that one can study anything these days, with dissertations on Alan Shearer and the hilarious cult of the chav popping up all over the place.

But now ridiculous vocational courses are appearing, and none more so than the Celebrity Academy, which teaches you how to carve out a career as a reality TV star.

The course, run by showbiz agent Gareth James, hopes to harness the clearly burgeoning talent and charm lying beneath the surface of hopefuls who can't get on reality TV without any training.

The academy will feature seminars and workshops with the likes of 'Nasty' Nick Bateman from Big Brother and Heat magazine editor Mark Frith.

Gareth James said: "The seminars and workshops are designed to provide ordinary people, some of whom we know have extraordinary talent, with the tips, expertise and experience those outside the industry generally find inaccessible."

Also included will be advice on passing the taxing auditions to get on reality TV, learning about camera presence, and discussing the psychology of fame. Lofty.

And to round it all off, Steve Brookstein, who won last year's X Factor but has recently been dropped by his record label, will be showing the gagging wannabes what they could be doing if they really applied themselves: playing a few songs to a gaggle of wannabes who want your low-fat fame.

Scary.