Sky News is to launch a new current affairs discussion show that will feature panellists including outgoing FA chairman Greg Dyke, journalist Rachel Johnson and lingerie tycoon Michelle Mone.
The new weekly discussion show, called The Pledge, is Sky’s take on programmes including BBC’s Question Time and ITV’s The Agenda.
However, the broadcaster says that its new show is unique to British television because the panellists will discuss “burning issues” without a moderator to control the debate.
Each week five panellists, from a pool of nine, will appear on the show each raising an issue that will be thrashed out among the group.
“This is something really different for a TV news platform,” said John McAndrew, director of content for Sky News. “Straight-talking, opinionated contributors, no conventional host. We are really excited.”
The pool of panellists includes LBC breakfast show host Nick Ferrari, Dragons’ Den tycoon James Caan, TV presenter June Sarpong, former England footballer Graeme Le Saux, Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry and Telegraph journalist Emma Barnett.
Sky said the show has taken its name from a pledge that each of the panellists have made “to talk straight and tell it like it really is”.
The first show, which will be filmed at Sky Studios in Osterley, will air from 8pm to 9pm every Thursday from 21 April.
