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The ´óÏó´«Ã½'s teen brand ´óÏó´«Ã½ Switch has announced that it is has commissioned a second series of its multi-platform teen drama, The Cut, and will be holding open auditions in four UK cities to find two brand new characters to join the young cast.

Budding actors or actresses between the ages of 16 and 21 can apply to join the soap, with two roles – one male and one female – up for grabs.

The first series of The Cut was launched in September 2009.

Airing in five-minute episodes on bbc.co.uk/switch, and with a weekly TV omnibus on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, it features fast-paced storylines packed with plenty of drama, many of which are suggested by the show's teen audience.

Created and developed by Head of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Switch, Geoffrey Goodwin; ´óÏó´«Ã½ Switch and EastEnders writer Al Smith and KateModern producer Pete Gibbons, The Cut stars a cast of rising talent and gave first starring roles to Lara Goodison, Matthew Kane and Billie North.

Geoffrey Goodwin said: "´óÏó´«Ã½ Switch is committed to making innovative, relevant and exciting content for British teens and I'm absolutely thrilled to be bringing The Cut back for a second series.

"Opening the audition process to those seeking their first big break is a fantastic opportunity for us to discover new actors from across the country to join the young talented cast and production team."

The dates and locations for the open auditions are as follows:

8 February – Cardiff

10 February – Glasgow

12 February – Manchester

16 February – London

Anyone wanting to audition must first register online at bbc.co.uk/thecut.

Entrants must be available to work full-time in London between April and July 2010.

Full terms and conditions are available on the website.

Entrants will meet the show's producers at the auditions, before being shortlisted and invited to London for a final audition.

Anyone who is not able to attend the open auditions can still apply by downloading the script and uploading their audition via the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Uploader on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Switch website from Monday 8 to Tuesday 16 February 2010.

Notes to Editors

´óÏó´«Ã½ Switch celebrates British teens through a distinctive range of multi-platform content. It is headed up by Geoffrey Goodwin and produces a range of innovative and exciting content across TV (´óÏó´«Ã½ Two), Radio (´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 1) and online (bbc.co.uk/switch) aimed at 12-17 year olds.

Launched in October 2007, Switch is committed to producing high-quality programmes and developing home-grown talent across comedy, entertainment, factual, music and drama.

ER