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Renowned presenter Kirsty Wark (Newsnight) is to present A Question Of Genius, a new quiz show which tests general knowledge, judgement and strategy in outwitting the competition.

Scottish-born Wark will present Question Of Genius (25 x 45-minute programems) for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Daytime from ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland's Pacific Quay studios in her home town of Glasgow.

Transmission is due for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Two, from Spring 2009.

The series gives competitors the opportunity to prove their expertise on a chosen subject when they face their "Question of Genius", one of the toughest questions on TV, to win a cash prize.

In order to reach this point they will need to beat their fellow contestants over a series of rounds testing their knowledge, judgement, strategy and risk-taking abilities.

The show is looking for intelligent, competitive, outgoing and charismatic personalities from across the UK.

Liam Keelan, Controller ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Daytime, says: "We're delighted to welcome Kirsty to the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Daytime team based in Scotland."

Kirsty Wark adds: "I'm excited to be fronting this brand new quiz which will give competitors from across the UK the chance to prove how much of a genius they really are."

Alan Tyler, Head of Comedy and Entertainment for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland, says: "We're delighted to have secured a significant commission for Daytime with A Question Of Genius which, along with Life Of Riley and The Old Guys, enhances Glasgow's reputation as a major location of comedy and entertainment programmes."

A Question Of Genius has been commissioned by Sumi Connock and Jo Street, Daytime's newly appointed Nations Commissioning Executive.

The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ series editor is Jon Murphy and the show will be produced by Gillian McNeil.

The new HD Studio A on the banks of the River Clyde has recently been the location for new network comedy sitcoms Life Of Riley (which stars Caroline Quentin and which started transmission on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One last week) and The Old Guys (starring Roger Lloyd Pack and Clive Swift and which transmits on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One later this month).

Other entertainment and children's shows will also film in Studio A as ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland ramps up its output for the networks over the next few months, as part of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s broader Network Supply Review to drive more content from the nations.

Notes to Editors

25 x 45 minutes, A Question Of Genius is due to transmit on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Spring 2009.

Auditions are being held this month.

Those who are interested, or would like more details, can email aquestionofgenius@bbc.co.uk or call 0871 664 1855. Calls cost 10p per minute from a BT landline (calls from other networks may vary and calls from mobiles will cost considerably more).

Applicants must be aged 18 or over.

LG