It was announced today that Chrissie Swan and Grant Denyer will host Network Ten’s exciting new family entertainment series, The Great Australian Spelling Bee.

This engaging new series will search for Australia’s best and brightest young spellers.

Both proud parents themselves, Chrissie and Grant will prove a formidable and entertaining duo as they support and encourage Australia’s most remarkable spellers, who will inspire all Australians with their spelling proficiency.

Chrissie said: “Only my closest friends know that I have always been crazy for spelling, and I was a spelling bee champion myself in primary school.

“This show is heaven for me. I'll be there all the way, supporting the clever kids and their parents and gently reminding them that it's ‘i' before ‘e' except after ‘c'. It is also, of course, a great thrill to work with Grant Denyer who I've been liaising with recently. Please note the second and often forgotten 'i' is included there in liaising...am I onto the next round?”

Grant said: “The kids in The Great Australian Spelling Bee are going to inspire, excite and amaze us all, as we watch our smallest Australians achieve really big things.

“You won’t believe what our wonderful young kids are capable of when given the chance to shine in a special opportunity like this. Taking the classic kids’ spelling bee to an all-time stunning new level will be a thrilling celebration of how bright, fun and inspiring our young Aussies are.

“As someone who can’t spell to save himself, I think I’m in for a brutal lesson of why I should have talked less and listened more in school,” he said.

“I love working with kids. They're surprising, unpredictable and they always challenge you as a host. More importantly, they’re just a joy to watch as they grow right in front of you in an opportunity like this. Just like Family Feud, it’s a show for the whole family to enjoy together.”

Network Ten Chief Programming Officer, Beverley McGarvey, said: “Chrissie and Grant are the perfect hosts for our brand new family entertainment series.

“They are warm, funny and they love and respect kids. The chemistry between Grant and Chrissie is great to watch and they will ensure that all Australians fall in love with The Great Australian Spelling Bee.

“The Great Australian Spelling Bee is a fresh and engaging series, and it fits perfectly into our strategy of bringing event television to Australian families,” she said.

The hunt for Australia’s best young spellers has already started, with auditions currently underway across the country.

Produced by Shine Australia, The Great Australian Spelling Bee is an original format and will launch on TEN later this year.

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For more information, please contact:

Heidi Packer
Sydney Publicity Manager
P: (02) 9650 1178. M: 0416 007 070 E: hpacker@networkten.com.au