Joe Hobbs and Lydia Maddix selected for E4 Academy scheme

Stand-up comedian Joe Hobbs and comedy performer and writer Lydia Maddix have been selected to take part in E4 Academy, Channel 4's new training programme.

Chosen out of over 1,500 hopefuls, the winners will be in the academy alongside DJ and presenter Kaylee Golding and online content creator, writer and actor Ty Logan.

Channel 4 explains: "As part of this grassroots scheme, the four, who come without substantial mainstream or terrestrial broadcast experience, will receive real world, hands-on training, tailored to each of them. The training will focus on writing, directing, producing and the story telling process, helping each to really find their niche and learn how to create a connection with E4's young audience.

"On top of this, these exciting new additions to E4's pool of talent will also receive an industry mentor and be introduced to well-known talent, who'll provide first-hand advice on how they've progressed in their field. The aim of the E4 Academy is to equip the four with the skills to be able to enter and be successful in the media and content industries.

"There will also be opportunities for exposure on E4, which could see them involved across digital content, social media, in-vision continuity or starring in new shows over the next 12 months."

Joe Hobbs says: "I can't believe it, it's such a thrill to have so much hard work pay off and to get to work with a channel that's given me so many laughs over the years".

Lydia Maddix comments: "I feel super lucky to have been chosen for this incredible opportunity! I've always loved E4's output so to now be working with them is by far the best thing to happen this year! I just can't wait to be a part of their world and to bring my A game to the channel."

Karl Warner from E4 says: "I'm delighted to welcome Lydia, Joe, Kaylee and Ty into the E4 family, and that they'll be first into the E4 Talent Academy. They all represent something unique, and the support we'll provide should help skyrocket their careers and inject new talent into the industry. You saw them here first."

Leah Henry from Fully Focused, the production company that oversaw the search, adds: "Fully Focused Productions are really excited to have filtered down over 1,000 applications and travelled across the UK to meet hundreds of amazing young people to finally discover the four winners of the first ever E4 Talent Academy!

"Lydia, Kaylee, Joe and Ty are super-talented young performers with a bright future ahead. We can't wait to get working with them as we develop their onscreen personalities, produce new content and see where the journey takes us."

The search for the E4 Academy class of 2022 is expected to start later in 2021.

Below is the biographies of Joe and Lydia, as supplied by E4.

Joe Hobbs

Originally from Northampton and now based in London, Joe started his stand-up comedy career in 2017 and quickly gained critical acclaim for his conversational manner, irreverent charm, and leftfield punchlines. In 2018, he won the Amused Moose Breakthrough Comedian of the Year Award (previously won by Katherine Ryan and Romesh Ranganathan).

Joe's comedic style is driven by a passion for understanding and uniting people and he speaks openly about his mental health ups and downs, ADHD, masculinity and class.

His goal is to bring his skills to TV, where he'll be at home presenting and interviewing, using his natural openness and honesty to bring humour and lightness to meaningful conversations.

Lydia Maddix

Based in London, Lydia is a comedy performer and writer on the rise. With frequent comparisons to Kate Nash due to her British-pop sound and punny lyrics, she was hand-picked to support Nash at Standon Calling Festival. Lydia has also had her comedy work featured by rapper Lady Leshurr and The Cuban Brothers.

Lydia studied at Canterbury Christ Church University and since then, she has been researching and producing across a range of genres such as factual entertainment, reality, music and promos and now works as a digital producer.