Live From Studio Five.

Five is to launch a new early evening news magazine show hosted by Ian Wright, Melinda Messenger and Kate Walsh of The Apprentice fame.

The three hosts have been hired for their smart, witty opinions and their common sense approach to the big stories and talking points that have caught the public’s attention for the hour-long show, Live From Studio Five. The show will be produced by Sky News and will launch in September.

Richard Woolfe, Channel Controller at Five, said: “This is news – but not as you know it. It’s a chatty, forthright spirited magazine. Ian, Melinda and Kate have warmth and attitude – they are a high energy, up front, breath of fresh air.

“For the first time on British TV presenters will be passionately discussing news events and expressing their no holds barred opinions in a way that reflects the way we all interact and react to the biggest stories of the day.

“With three such opinionated yet diverse hosts, the show is guaranteed to be lively, entertaining, unpredictable, spontaneous and sometimes outrageous and controversial – just watch the sparks fly.

“Every other broadcaster’s schedule at this time is totally predictable and I believe there’s a huge opportunity for a show like this which will shake things up, put Five on the map and get viewers talking about the channel. Five has a fantastic record of innovation in news programming and this show will take that to the next level.”

The news, talk and entertainment show will bring you the day’s most gripping stories in the clearest, most entertaining way. It will mix live and recorded location reports, celebrity interviews, gossip and banter all based around that day’s popular news agenda.

Viewers can expect to be entertained, informed, surprised and occasionally shocked as the presenters give us their personal take on that day’s events – all backed up by a team of Five News reporters and the news-gathering resources of Sky News.

Ian Wright said: “I can’t wait to get cracking on the new series. Melinda and Kate are great girls and I love the banter we already have. I struggle to get a word in when those two get going! It will be high energy, fast-paced and a great laugh.”

Melinda Messenger said: “I am very excited to be part of a brilliant, innovative new show. I can’t wait to work with Ian and Kate who are fantastic and I think we are going to have lots of fun together.”

Kate Walsh added: “Becoming part of the presenting team on the new show is an exhilarating and thrilling challenge – and I love a challenge! I can’t wait to get stuck in to daily live TV, and the show promises to be a totally new way of reviewing the day’s news. Ian and Melinda are both consummate professionals and great fun, and I’m looking forward to bringing a bit of me to the personality of the show.”

Live From Studio Five is a Sky News production for Five. The Editor is David Kermode, the Programme Editor is Vivek Sharma and the Director is James Haggar.

For further information please contact Lesley Land or Emma Wright at Taylor Herring on 0208 206 5151 [email protected] or [email protected]

 For pictures please contact: Sally Leonard on 0207 550 5509 or [email protected]