Hard Spell Abbey
Hard Spell Abbey is a five-part spelling bee game show produced for CBBC. It was shot entirely on location in Suffolk during 2004. The series was designed to accompany Hard Spell, a family spelling competition for BBC One. Each episode featured games as well as some reality-based filming. Short comedy cameos from spelling celebrities were included in a popular strand named "Spellebrity Squares". In this rehash of a popular classic, celebrities were asked to spell live on camera.
In the show Simon Hickson played Brother Brendan, a slightly mad but likeable monk who lived at the abbey and wanted to be involved with every game. Jaz Ampaw-Farr, international education consultant and TEDx Speaker was the spelling expert who coached the contestants, aided by Brother Brendan to spelling success.