New Faces was a British television talent show popular in the 1970s and 1980s, presented originally by Derek Hobson. It was produced by ATV Network Limited for the ITV Network. The first run of the show was from 1974 to 1980 and was recorded at the ATV Centre, Birmingham. The show was noted for its theme tune, "You're a Star", performed by singer Carl Wayne, formerly of The Move, and it was eventually released, becoming a minor hit.
Winners often went on to greater success in television entertainment. Many top entertainers began their careers with a performance on this programme. The acts were evaluated by a panel of experts, including Mickie Most, Alan A. Freeman, Clive James, Muriel Young, Ted Ray, Ed Stewart, Arthur Askey, Noel Edmonds and Tony Hatch. Most and Hatch were especially notorious for being "hard" on contestants.
Contestants received marks out of ten in categories such as "star quality" and "entertainment value". It was seen as a 'tougher' version of the long-running talent show Opportunity Knocks, also shown on ITV.
One winner, Marti Caine, returned to present the show when it was revived briefly in the 1980s by Central Television. Her catchphrase was bellowed at the voting studio audience: "Press your buttons... NOW!". The show also featured a panel of experts including the journalist Nina Myskow, who became famous for her often critical comments. In this incarnation the audience decided who won, with a gigantic lightboard known as Spaghetti Junction lighting up to a varying degree as they pushed their buttons.
