ABC TV today announced that The Chasers very own multi-talented singing comic Andrew Hansen will be at the helm of the new ABC TV series Strictly Speaking.

Andrew will host this new 13 x half-hour prime-time television talent show with a twist. With the title of 'Australia's Best Public Speaker' up for grabs, Strictly Speaking is a competition that puts speaking at the centre of thestage.

The series will begin shooting in Sydney in September and will air on ABC TV in early 2010.

A recent call for entries amassed 1500 applications from all states and territories, with 320 auditions being held for the final 27 contestant spots.