Zoe Ball hails brilliant young writers in radio competition
ZOE BALL has praised the stories that have made it through to the final round of BBC Radio 2 breakfast show’s 500 Words short story competition as “hilarious, super inventive and often very moving”.
Some 56 stories written by children have been chosen from 134,709 entries submitted this year and honorary judge the Duchess of Cornwall, chair of judges Chris Evans and awardwinning authors Malorie Blackman, Frank CottrellBoyce, Charlie Higson and Francesca Simon, as well as Ball, will choose the final winners. Ball said: “In such strange and difficult times, it has been an absolute joy to read the hilarious, super inventive and often very moving stories cooked up by
brilliant young writers up and down the country.
“I’m delighted that the Great British public now has the opportunity to enjoy the very best stories which have been beautifully narrated by professional actors. What a treat!”
Former Radio 2 DJ Evans first created and launched the competition in 2011.
Of the stories that made it through to this final stage, 31 were written by girls and 25 by boys from all over the country.
Helen Thomas, head of content commissioning for Radio 2, said: “Now in its tenth year, the entries to BBC Radio 2 breakfast show’s 500 Words have proved to be even better than ever.”
The six winners will be announced on the Radio 2 breakfast show on Friday June 12 and their stories read out on air by famous narrators. Each child will receive illustrations from a top illustrator - with Tony Ross, Margaret Sturton, David Roberts, Sue Cheung, Fiona Lumbers and Axel Scheffler all taking part.