The television show is set to debut on BBC Three when the channel takes over from BBC Choice on February 3. The weekly half-hour show will be presented live by former BBC business reporter Patrick O'Connell.
The 'Celebdaq' TV show combines entertainment, business and news with the real-time share trading in some of the world's best-known celebrities.
The interactive programme will use content generated entirely by viewers and players dictating movements on the Celebdaq Exchange. The show will update players on their celebrity portfolios, analyse the latest share prices on the Celebdaq exchange and reveal the week's biggest dividend payments.
O'Connell will be armed with real-time 3D graphics (as used by Peter Snow on election night) to help analyse market movements. He will also be on the lookout for longer-term trends in the world of entertainment and celebrity with help from key industry figures, real-world financial experts and showbusiness pundits.
The website was launched in July 2002 and has more than 50,000 players. It allows players to buy and sell shares in celebrities -- building up a portfolio of pop stars, movie actors, TV presenters, sportsmen and royals.
Each celebrity has a web page of their own, with facts, latest news, recent sightings and current trading price. Daily trading prices are currently announced each evening following BBC Choice's 'Liquid News' show.
Celebrities' prices rise and fall depending on market forces and dividends are paid on those who generate the most column inches in national newspapers and magazines.
The most successful weekly Celebdaq trader will receive a cash prize and a coveted Celebdaq trading jacket.
Executive producer of the show Chris Wilson said: "There are already 70,000 registered users for the website and it is getting 2m hits a week. Since the launch there have been half a billion hits and it is the fastest-growing website in the BBC."
He added: "I've racked my brains and I can't think of another show that has come from a website."
To play the game, users have to register personal details, providing a data-capture tool for BBCi. A cross-media marketing campaign to promote the show and site is planned for August.
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