'Next Michael Parkinson' gets his own chat show at 20

A secondary school drop-out who got his television training from a charity is being hailed as the next Michael Parkinson - and he's only 20, writes Louise Jury

Luke Hyams has already secured interviews with Mick Jagger, Tony Blair and the boxer Prince Naseem. His 12-part series of interviews, Pass the Mic, begins on BBC2 on Saturday.

Luke Hyams has already secured interviews with Mick Jagger, Tony Blair and the boxer Prince Naseem. His 12-part series of interviews, Pass the Mic, begins on BBC2 on Saturday.

Even more remarkable than his age is the fact that Hyams won his chance of stardom after quitting school at the age of 14.

He became an interviewer through YCTV (Youth Cable Television), a charity set up to give training in television skills to disadvantaged young people.

"He can run rings around a lot of older people who do it," said Brenda Kelly, the series producer. "He's got natural wit, he's smart, he's articulate, he's funny. And he's interested in people."

Hyams from west London, said: "Until I found YCTV I didn't know where the hell I was going.

"On the Friday we had Mick Jagger, the Monday we had the Prime Minister, and on Tuesday Rory Bremner impersonating Bill Clinton. On the Wednesday it was S Club 7. I had to be wheeled down from that one."