While there’s no denying we love a lofty drama, there’s no point trying to hide our penchant for a spot of reality TV – specifically when it’s of the cosy challenge-based variety (think Bake Off, Sewing Bee, Landscape Artist Of The Year or even Taskmaster).

Thank goodness, then, that we now have another title to add to our roster of familiar favourites in the form of ITV’s Dress The Nation. Not least of all because we’re entering thriller and horror season, and we need something sweet and wholesome to soothe our jangling nerves between adrenaline-fuelled episodes.

What is Dress The Nation about?

Hosted by AJ Odudu and Vernon Kay and featuring a legendary lineup of guest experts and starry celebrity judges, the six-parter will see 10 amateurs “compete to secure a highly coveted in-house design role working alongside some of the best designers in the industry at M&S’s colleague support centre in Paddington, London”.

“Over the course of the recruitment process, the 10 candidates will be set a series of briefs which will assess their design, problem-solving, commerciality and collaboration skills,” continues the official press release.

Contestants will not only have to impress the experts with their extraordinary and cutting-edge looks, but also real M&S customers. And, if they succeed in their task, they “have the chance of winning this life-changing prize – a career dressing the nation” – hence the title of the series. 

Who stars in Dress The Nation?

As well as our aforementioned hosts, the series will feature the likes of Spice Girl Mel B, Ian Wright, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Alex Scott, Vogue Williams, Cat Deeley and Bella Freud.

What are people saying about Dress The Nation?

Speaking about the new series, Odudu says: “I’m so excited to be hosting Dress The Nation on ITV alongside my mate Vernon. To host a primetime show that celebrates all things fashion is incredible and I can’t wait to help ITV and M&S unearth some brilliant new design talent. Accessibility to the creative industries for people across the UK is so important to me and shows like this provide an opportunity that really could change someone’s life forever.”

Kay, meanwhile, adds: “I’m a strong believer in giving talent the opportunity to be seen and get a chance to make it. This is a great way for budding designers, especially those who don’t necessarily have any formal training or experience, to win a life-changing job at one of Britain’s most loved retailers. This is gonna be huge for all those who take part. And I’m so looking forward to working alongside AJ again.”

When and where can we watch Dress The Nation?

Dress The Nation will debut on ITV1 and ITVX on Tuesday 17 September at 8pm. 

Images: ITV