Barnham teenager is the star of internet reality show

Emma Halstead, 19, is one of five people chosen by Big Brother producers Endemol UK to star in its Gap Year challenge, which will see her pitting her wits against contestants in extreme sports activities.

Over four weeks, the A-grade student will join four other intrepid travellers for the ground-breaking programme. They will head for New Zealand where they will be exploring the stunning scenery which forms the backdrop of their tough series of tests.

"I am so excited to be going, but it really hasn't sunk in yet, it doesn't seem real," said the former Bishop Luffa student, who explained it was her mum who volunteered her after spotting an audition crew for the show in London.

Describing herself as 'an extremely blunt chatterbox', Emma will need her wits about her as she takes on her biggest personal challenge to date.

The show, which is being shown via Facebook, Bebo, YouTube and Twitter from November 9, will chart every aspect of the group's experiences as they post daily videos of their exploits.

They will begin to feel the pressure as one contestant is knocked out every week until a winner emerges.

"This will be really good for me as I'm going away with people from all walks of life, some of them are a lot older and have graduated.

"I've done things like the Duke of Edinburgh Award, but nothing like this before. I'm pretty academic, but I love being able to channel my creative energy so this will be great," added Emma, who said her aunt in Bognor would be rooting for her as well as her best friend in Aldwick and students from Bishop Luffa school.

Though originally from London, she said the Bognor Regis area had proved a fine home for the family '“ and certainly one far removed from the rugged and often unforgiving terrain of New Zealand.

Despite there being little time to prepare for her overseas mission, leading a busy lifestyle in Sussex has instilled her with plenty of enthusiasm for any challenges that come her way.

"I've enjoyed growing up in the Bognor area, it's a lovely place and I have made some good friends there. My school was very good at pushing you on to achieve and it's where I developed my interest in theatre studies.

"I directed a radical take on Alice in Wonderland while I was there which used the school as it's setting, which was quite spooky."

With New Zealand being the birthplace of the bungee jump, the jet boat, and the zorb (human water spheres), the country is the ultimate destination to go all the way for a gap-year adventure.

Find out if Emma has the skills to succeed by charting her progress on www.bebo.com/thegapyear

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