Natascha Kampusch to become chat show host

Kidnap victim Natascha Kampusch’s next step? Chat show host stardom

Natascha Kampusch, the Austrian teenager who was kidnapped on her way to school and held prisoner for eight years, is to become the host of her own television chat show.

The media-savvy teen is turning her horrific experience into a positive one - and even came up with the idea herself.

The television network, Puls 4, yesterday confirmed that Natascha would be hosting a new show from February. Pilot runs have been tested on audiences, and the first guests would soon receive their invites for the programme that has a working title of Natascha Kampusch, In Conversation With…

She said in a statement: ‘For a while now I have been considering the idea of coming out of the role of a passive media object and becoming proactive in creating media content.’

Wolfgang Brunner, her media advisor, added: ‘First we will focus on local celebrities, but the idea is to address the international market and invite A-list celebrities from all over the world. That phase of the project will commence as soon as Ms Kampusch learns English.’

Kampusch was kidnapped by Wolfgang Priklopil, who kept her captive in subterranean bunker beneath his house near Vienna. After her escape in August last year he committed suicide by jumping in front of a train.

She has since been inundated with book and film proposals and is thought to have earned millions in media appearances.

Martin Blank, the head of Puls 4 TV, said: ‘I am very happy that Natascha Kampusch has approached us with her idea. But we very aware of our responsibility and all activities will be discussed with Natascha Kampusch's counsellors and with herself.’