New Faces 

1 9 7 3 - 1 9 7 8 (UK)
1 9 8 6 - 1 9 8 8 (UK)

Derek Hobson introduced the acts while panellists judged the "talent" and often upset performers and viewers alike with their frank comments. 

Branded as downright insensitive, New Faces was Opportunity Knocks with bite, and Tony Hatch and Mickie Most were the regular hard men on the panel. Other regular pundits included Clifford Davis, Alan Freeman, Martin Jackson, Ted Ray, Hilary Kingsley, Ed Stewart, John Smith, George Elrick and Peter Prichard.

The show aimed to feature artists who had never appeared on television before, and those who dared to participate found their acts subjected to the views of four 'experts'.

Awarding marks out of ten in categories such as Presentation, Content and Star Quality, the panel's forthright comments were known to reduce artists to tears at times. Some were awarded no points at all. Arthur Askey, on the other hand, thought every act was fantastic. Some were indeed good enough to make the grade.

Early discoveries included Victoria Wood, Les Dennis and Showaddywaddy. Lenny Henry and Jim Davidson also began on New Faces - one of them was hysterically funny, the other one was called Jim Davidson . . . 

Emmerdale star Malandra Burrows appeared as a singer at the age of nine (using the name Malandra Newman) and became the series' youngest winner. Like other winners she progressed through the heats to the grand final where the series winner was decided.

One New Faces champion, Marti Caine, went on to host a revival of the series entitled New Faces Of 86 (then 87 and 88). Among the new celebrity critics was newspaper columnist Nina Myskow.

The Johnny Patrick Orchestra provided musical support in the early days, with Harry Rabinowitz's Orchestra taking over in the 1980s. The show's original You're A Star theme song was performed by vocalist Carl Wayne of The Move.