COUNTY Durham has appeared on a hit BBC TV show after the region’s City of Culture bid has been put under the microscope as it looks to become the 2025 City of Culture.

Viewers who tuned into the One Show on BBC1 at 7pm last night (May 18) may have seen familiar scenes, which saw the City of Durham, Dawdon, Beamish, and County Durham’s coastline feature.

In the show, presenter Michelle Ackley took a trip the City of Durham while the bid judges were visiting to see why the county is worthy of the top accolade in three years’ time.

Read more: North East fishermen stage protest over mass sea life deaths

The segment of the programme also saw the reporter speak to Professor Carlos Frenk from Durham University, bid director Amanda Clark, and members of the public about why the area should be crowned City of Culture; the first region to do so.

Currently, County Durham is in the final four entries for the award, with the region coming up against Wrexham, Bradford, and Southampton.

The Northern Echo: County Durham will find out if they're successful in its City of Culture bid by the end of May. Picture: BBC.County Durham will find out if they're successful in its City of Culture bid by the end of May. Picture: BBC.

Last Monday (May 9), a set of judges visited County Durham to drink in the culture it has to offer.

A decision on whether it has been successful is expected by the end of May.

The Northern Echo: BBC's Michelle Ackley with bid head judge on The One Show last night. Picture: BBC.BBC's Michelle Ackley with bid head judge on The One Show last night. Picture: BBC.

Within The One Show last night, the head of the judging panel opened up about the chances of County Durham, saying: “I enjoyed what I saw today, Durham has a good chance but so does the other three finalists.”

Throughout the rest of this week, The One Show will be showcasing the three other finalists in a special five-minute segment.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054