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Rip Off Britain returns to screens this Autumn for a third series as Julia Somerville joins Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford to help tackle the nation's consumer nightmares on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One Daytime.

At a time when many across the UK face increased financial pressure, the series investigates and exposes some of the rip offs – both big and small – that are costing British consumers. The team is now asking members of the public who feel they've been the subject of unfair deals, sharp practice and rip offs to share their stories.

Julia Somerville says: "I'm delighted to be joining a programme that has made such a great connection with its viewers."

Liam Keelan, Controller of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Daytime, says: "Julia's career in broadcast journalism spanning three decades, makes her the ideal candidate to join our presenting line-up and I'm absolutely delighted to welcome her to the team.  Her knowledge and experience will be invaluable. Rip Off Britain has fast become essential viewing for our Daytime viewers and I hope this third series will prove just as popular."

Julia Somerville steps into Jennie Bond's shoes as she steps down at the end of the second series.

Rip Off Britain (20 parts) is being made by ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Current Affairs and the executive producers are Carla-Maria Lawson and Rob Unsworth.  It is a ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Vision production for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One Daytime and is due to transmit in the Autumn.

Rip Off Britain is currently looking for contributions from members of the public who feel they've been ripped off.  Anyone wanting to get in touch with the team should contact:

Rip Off Britain
PO Box 4360
Manchester
M61 0DY

ripoffbritain@bbc.co.uk

Notes to Editors

Julia Somerville began her career in broadcasting when she joined the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ in 1972 as a sub-editor in the Radio Newsroom. She became a chief-sub and then a reporter and was made Labour Affairs Correspondent in 1981. In 1984 she was recruited by ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Television News to present the Nine O'clock News.

In 1987 Julia joined ITN. During the next 14 years she presented News At Ten, the Lunchtime News and launched the ITN News Channel. She left ITN in 2001.

She rejoined the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ News presenting team in 2010. She is currently Chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection.

LG