Monday 7 April 2025To mark the launch of Joe Lycett's United States of Birmingham, the public are invited to put themselves forward to meet a Brummie from another Mummy, making a new friend from one of the other 18 Birminghams in the world via a live portal in Victoria Square, Birmingham UK, on 22nd April
Coinciding with the launch of Joe Lycett's brand new 4-part Sky Original series Joe Lycett's United States of Birmingham, Sky have announced The Brum Hole - a one day experiment linking Birmingham UK and Birminghams across the US via a portal link that will be installed in Birmingham UK city centre. The Brum Hole aims to unite Brummies from different Mummies in the spirit of newfound friendship, with participants selected to take part able to have a chat with a potential chum from a foreign Brum via The Brum Hole.
In Joe Lycett's United States of Birmingham the comic, in his self-appointed role as the second city's ambassador and with the blessing of the actual Lord Mayor of Birmingham, embarks on a mission to put Birmingham firmly back on the map - in fact, all over the map. To do that, he headed to North America, home to no fewer than eighteen Birminghams - stretching from Canada's Saskatchewan province, down the East Coast, through the Midwest and into the Deep South, exploring their history, their collective Brummie cultural commonalities and forming official Friendship Agreements with as many Birminghams as he could.
Whilst Joe himself won't be present at The Brum Hole, Sky have taken on the mantle of continuing Joe's fine work of adding new members into the United States of Birmingham friendship alliance.
Taking inspiration from previous portal' experiments spanning art and science which have connected cities around the world, The Brum Hole will be in situ in Victoria Square in Birmingham on 22nd April. To be in with a chance of securing a slot at The Brum Hole, submit your entry by emailing BrumHole@multitudemedia.co.uk detailing what you would do should you be given a slot, with those successful invited down on the day itself to forge a new friendship. All those who have made a new Brummie mate will take away an exclusive Joe Lycett's United States of Birmingham friendship bracelet for their diplomatic efforts.
Suspect you have a long-lost relative in another Birmingham you've never met? Think you're the ultimate Brummie, or have a dog you're convinced could hold a transatlantic conversation? Think you're a spit of Joe Lycett or reckon you make the best balti in Brum? Whatever you want to suggest doing at The Brum Hole to uphold the United States of Birmingham, we want to hear from you.
Joe Lycett said: I can't be at the Brum Hole as that day I'm doing a needlework course with Adrian Chiles, but I'm delighted Sky are producing this unique opportunity to speak with other Brummies around the world. In my experience they are kind, charming and interesting folk, unless they're called Alison Hammond'. I was not responsible for the title Brum Hole' and do not enjoy saying things like have a look in my Brum Hole'.
The Brum Hole lands in Victoria Square, Birmingham UK, on 22 April.
Joe Lycett's United States of Birmingham is available from 22 April on Sky Max and NOW
How to Apply: To be in with a chance of securing a slot at the Brum Hole, submit your entry by emailing BrumHole@multitudemedia.co.uk
Applicants must demonstrate their friendliness, sense of humour and a willingness to embrace the weird. Whether you just fancy a chat with another Brummie, want to sing them a song, compare dialect or whatever else you can do in roughly 15 minutes, let us know and we might pick you.
How it'll work:
If you're picked to take part, the production team will confirm your time slot at The Brum Hole ahead of Tuesday 22nd April, and will send you further instructions. Slots will last for approximately 15 minutes.
The small print:
Joe Lycett won't be present at The Brum Hole
Filming and photography will be taking place throughout the activation and you grant permission for this to be used on all platforms
You must be available in person to attend your allotted time of your slot at Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD
Applications will close on Monday 14th April, and all applicants must be available for filming on Tuesday 22nd April.
For more information or press inquiries, please contact:
BrumHole@multitudemedia.co.uk
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