Rogue trader Nick Leeson could soon be
giving Eddie Hobbs a run for his money as
Ireland's top TV expert on finance.

The Sunday Tribune has learned that
Leeson is in discussions with a production company about a new programme for RTÉ in which he would advise how to make money trading stocks and shares.

Confirming his interest in the project, Leeson (42) said: "Times have changed and I think it's important that people empower themselves. The information is more readily available than ever, so why rely on a fund manager when through a little education you can invest at your own discretion, hopefully making a bit of money."

UK trader Leeson made worldwide headlines in 1995 when he managed to bring down Barings, one of the most venerable names in British banking, while working out of its Singapore office. He was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in a Singapore prison.

Leeson's notoriety has already aroused international interest in the new TV format and the Irish company who devised it, Sideline Productions, travelled to the MIPTV media market in Cannes this weekend to discuss syndications rights with broadcasters worldwide.

Producer Billy McGrath, who devised The Nick Leeson Trading Co, said he came up with the concept after reading a newspaper interview with Leeson in which he spoke of how he still traded in stocks and shares on a casual basis. He said: "I thought it would be great to come up with a popular mainstream show presented by Nick which would explain to ordinary people how to trade online and how the financial industry works."

McGrath, former head of entertainment at RTÉ, said that despite Leeson's part in bringing down Barings, he believed viewers would be willing to take his advice. "Nick Leeson has integrity. He took the blows and got up again both in his personal and professional life." Leeson has lived in Galway for five years with his second wife, Leona, and is CEO of Galway United football club.