Balding to host Saturday night show

Clare Balding is to be the host of a new Saturday night BBC1 entertainment show looking to find the country's sharpest mind.

The presenter, one of the stars of the BBC's Olympics coverage, will front Britain's Brightest early next year which put 24 brainboxes to the test to find the ultimate egghead.

Show bosses will test various aspects including measuring emotional intelligence and processing speed to find the most brilliant brain in the six-part series. Hopefuls will tackle challenges and puzzles in the studio and on location.

Clare was last week announced as the replacement for Aled Jones on Radio 2's Sunday morning faith show and will become the face of Channel 4 horse racing in the new year.

She also stepped in as guest host of BBC1's Have I Got News For You.

Clare said: "I have always said that 'facts are my friend', but knowing things doesn't make you clever.

"I am fascinated by the brain - how it works and how it can be improved. I am so excited to be given the opportunity to explore and test intelligence in a format that will be fun, informative and entertaining. The quest to find Britain's Brightest will inspire all of us."

Show bosses have already begun sifting through applicants but production firm RDF is still looking for more contestants for the show which will be filmed at the BBC's MediaCityUK base in Salford.