Column Idol

Media Trust has joined forces with The Sun to offer 16-21 year olds the chance to write their own column with the support of some of the Sun’s top journalists, including seasoned political columnist Trevor Kavanagh and Bizarre Editor Gordon Smart.

Photography by Tim & Barry

Column Idol, Media Trust's competition in partnership with The Sun, aims to find Britain's most talented young journalists.  Supported by rapper Dizzee Rascal and singer-songwriter Diana Vickers, the competition is now at the shortlist stage.

The six Column Idol finalists have been announced! Here’s your chance to get a sneak preview of what they will be writing about. But who will be judged the winner by a panel that will include The Sun Editor Dominic Mohan, top columnist Jane Moore and pop star Diana Vickers, and have their column printed in The Sun?

The finalists are:

Faye Drage, 21, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, who made it to the finals with her column idea about being plus sized. Faye says, 'It's an issue I feel really strongly about. I get so frustrated with TV programmes and magazines that glorify thin people.'

Khalid O'Beirne, a 19-year-old youth worker from North London, chose to write about the positive contribution of young people to society. 'You only ever hear negative things about teenagers,' says Khalid, 'but there are lots of young people doing really positive things.'

Charlotte Purnell, 17, from Birmingham, whose chosen topic was her support for euthanasia. Charlotte writes from experience, having witnessed the decline of her great aunt through colon cancer and Alzheimer's. Despite being mildly dyslexic, Charlotte is a dedicated writer and is thrilled by the prospect of reaching millions of readers. She says, 'I am just ecstatic to get this far - I can't really put into words how good it feels.’

Jenny Conway, 16, of Gateshead has a fascination with politics, but is frustrated that she cannot vote. Jenny says, 'There are so many issues that the government talks about which directly affect young people - like underage pregnancy and teenage crimes. But because under-18s can't vote, the government really have no idea what they think about things. I firmly believe the voting age should be lowered.'

Bina Patel of Stratford, East London is a 17-year-old mum to a six-month-old boy and writes about the stigma associated with teenage pregnancy. She says, 'When I fell pregnant and went to the hospital they asked me if I'd be able to read the forms. They acted as if I was automatically really stupid.'

Sports-loving journalism graduate Lee Price, 21 and from Milton Keynes, submitted a column idea all about social cohesion. 'From immigrants, to people on benefits, the upper classes to 'chavs' - there is too much typecasting going on in the world today,' says Lee. 'Each community deserves their own opinion.' Of his opportunity to be mentored by The Sun's top journalists, Lee says, 'Learning from the best will be amazing.'

Read The Sun's feature on the six Column Idol finalists in full.