MasterChef producers offer free TV course

People aspiring to land a career in television are being offered a seven-week free training course provided by the producers behind popular series like MasterChef and Hunted.

Shine TV are launching the opportunity in early 2026 to people living in the West Midlands to learn the skills and techniques required to build themselves a career working, behind camera, in television.

Shine TV Producer Ben Ibbot said the team wanted to find people who were currently working in other careers but had dreamt about working in the sector.

"The fact that we can offer this kind of training for locals is what I think is really exciting," he said.

He added that the course was aimed at adults and would teach them "the fundamentals of mass casting for television".

Classes will be held on an evening during the week and weekends. Along with learning skills, successful candidates will also be in the running for a job at MasterChef.

At the end of the programme, producers will offer those who completed the course an interview to work on the next series of the show.

"You don't need any experience at all, we're looking for people who've kind of got transferable skills," Mr Ibbot said.

"People who maybe work in journalism, or in hospitality - just people who are really good with people. Like you could be a hairdresser that loves chatting to new people.

"We're trying to throw the doors wide open and invite as many people as we can."

Production of MasterChef moved to Birmingham in 2024. This season is the first time the show was made outside of London in more than 20 years.

It was made at the new Digbeth Loc Studios.

The application deadline is 4 January 2026. To apply, visit the website.

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