Plans have been announced for a new Channel 4 series, made by Silver River with co-funding from American Express.

Hidden Talent is an ad-funded six-part specialist factual series in which “members of the public are to realise their previously unknown potential”.

According to Channel 4”s spec, “Each week people with no prior experience will embark on a journey to take their newly discovered Hidden Talent to its limit. Eight participants will discover if they can go from being a total novice to a top class performer in record time.”

The show begins with hundreds of people being tested to see if they have special physical, mental, sensory or creative talents – of which they were totally unaware. “The Hidden Talent experts then take them on, training and developing them to face extraordinary challenges, which transform their understanding of their own abilities and could change the rest of their lives”.

Commenting, Special Factual Commissioning Editor, Jill Fullerton-Smith, said: “Applying expert knowledge to the concept of hidden talent, this thought-provoking multi-platform series will show just how remarkable we are as human beings – in an innovative way. It will reveal what we are capable of, and for both the individuals in the series and audiences taking part, maybe change lives.”

The 6 x 60mins series is made by Silver River for Channel 4, with co-funding from American Express.

Lisa Gervis, VP Brand & Customer Management at American Express, said: Hidden Talent “provides us with a great opportunity to reflect the American Express brand campaign, Realise the Potential, which has been designed to celebrate the belief life is richer and more rewarding when untapped possibilities are explored.”

Silver River CEO Daisy Goodwin added: “This is one of the most inspirational shows I have ever worked on. In business terms it has been a fascinating journey – creating a co-funded prime-time show for Channel 4. It’;s a new world for me as a producer but a fascinating one.”

Silver River”s C4 commission comes in the same week that the company has been acquired by Sony Pictures Television.

Announcing the deal, SPT”s President International Production, Andrea Wong, said, “I’;ve known and admired Daisy for several years and I’;m so happy to have the chance to work closely with her and with her team.  Their ambition and achievements are the perfect fit for our production network, where creativity and talent are the essential drivers in everything we do.”

Goodwin added: “Sony has a really alluring mix of great shows and real ambition.  I know that working with Andrea and her team we will be bringing Silver River”s distinctive blend of originality and entertainment to the widest possible audience, and I am looking forward to bringing their best properties to the UK market.”

Silver River is SPT”s third UK production venture, joining Gogglebox Entertainment and Victory Television.