New series for the BBC

Rhod Gilbert is to host a new BBC show seeking the best amateur band in the country.

The comedian will front The UK's Best Part-Time Band alongside Ultravox frontman Midge Ure, New Order and Joy Division bassist Peter Hook and Soul II Soul producer Jazzie B.

Three hour-long regional heats will air on BBC Four from May, followed by a final on BBC Two.

The first took place last night at the Leadmill in Sheffield, with another in London's Scala next Wednesday and a third at the Limelight Venue in Belfast next Friday.

Gilbert said: 'So far, the search for the UK's best part-time band has been a dream road trip for me.

'The range of music and bands we have come across has really surprised me, and the standard has been amazing, all the more so because this isn't what these people do for a living.'

Hook, former husband of Caroline Aherne, added: 'I was excited about the opportunity to see new groups and I am a fan of Rhod's anyway… Joy Division were a part-time band, we all had jobs as we needed them to subsidise the band. I was interested to see how other people handled it.'

More than 1,200 bands applied for the competition, playing 'rock to reggae, ska to skiffle, bhangra to blues and everything in between.'

Cassian Harrison, Editor of BBC Four, said: 'I'm delighted to have Rhod Gilbert and three of the most respected musicians in the industry on board for this series, bringing with them their wealth of experience of band-life and invaluable insight into what sets certain bands apart.'

The series was ordered from Warner Brothers' Wall To Wall production house by the head of music commissioning for BBC TV, Jan Younghusband

'This series shows that it's not just the major pop stars that entertain fans, but "part-time" musicians who perform to thousands of people weekly all across the UK, enjoying music in our pubs and clubs,' she said.

Published: 8 Jan 2016