Channel Nine has confirmed it will film a pilot for a new panel show next week, featuring former Labor leader Mark Latham as a panelist.
A spokesperson told Fairfax Media the show's permanent line-up will be finalised after a pilot is filmed.
"We have a group of panellists proposed for the pilot who are currently being briefed and Mark Latham is one of those," the spokesperson said. "We haven't signed anyone to any deal long-term for the show if it goes beyond a pilot."
The program will be hosted by Nine's Today Show's Karl Stefanovic, however it is understood that the panel may change every week. The panelists will reportedly debate hot-button topics of the day.
Latham has been at the centre of ongoing controversy in recent weeks for remarks made in his Australian Financial Review column - particularly comments he made about transgender military official Catherine McGregor and domestic violence campaigner and Australian of the Year Rosie Batty.
He was then linked to a string of abusive tweets sent from the account @RealMarkLatham.
Last month he resigned as a columnist for the Financial Review as well as his regular radio spots on Sydney's 2UE.
During his public appearance at the Melbourne Writers Festival last month, variously described as shambles, abusive and "a disappointment" by organisers, the former politician declared he was "seeking commercial opportunities".
As well as abusing host Jonathan Green, Latham swore at audience members and refused to confirm whether he was behind the Twitter account.
Latham, who is represented by Sydney-based celebrity manager Max Markson, is bound to bring in viewers hoping for some "train-wreck"-style viewing, but it remains to be seen just how effective - and controversial - this will prove to be for Nine in the long run.
