It is a night to raise a glass (or two) to the incredible television we’ve all binged on over the past year. I can’t help but think of the amazing production teams that make the magic happen – the ones who somehow turn stress, deadlines and caffeine into quality TV that people actually want to watch.

It’s an honour to celebrate with everyone there. And no, not just because there’s wine!

But I also want to give a special mention to the unsung heroes, the ones who don’t always make it into the acceptance speeches: the TV developers. These are the people who come up with the ideas and shape them into unmissable TV.

I should know because I’m one of them. As a development producer, I’ve been lucky enough to have some of my ideas commissioned and turned into actual real-life TV shows (honestly, people really did say yes to my PowerPoint pitch decks).

“Development hell” can be a lonely place, where the pressures to win a commission and develop good ideas are vital to the success of the development team, production company and keeping everyone else in employment.

I have had my fair share of “difficult births” over the years, including mindbending maths and time-consuming quiz development.

Luckily, I did manage to co-create the wonderful 1001 Things You Should Know quiz series for Channel 4, ­presented by the marvellous Sandi Toksvig. And lest I forget, there was also the first BBC commission I developed for Raise the Roof Productions – a documentary series about architects called Building Dream Homes. All the blood, sweat and tears were worthwhile.

I have worked in lots of development teams over the years. As a developer, you must be across everything, from TV trends and social media to what Gen Z is up to this week. That old saying comes to mind: “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” I can confirm that. I’ve got more random facts stored in my brain than I care to admit. Which makes me a good addition to any pub quiz team.

TV development has often been compared to painting the Forth Bridge – once you finish, you must start all over again. And that’s not a metaphor; it’s our job description! There are hundreds of dedicated developers out there, endlessly brainstorming ideas, building slates, designing pitch decks that could win design awards and cutting together epic sizzle reels.

As a developer, you must be across everything, from TV trends and social media to what Gen Z is up to this week

And what do we get for all this? Rejection! Lots of it. Ideas fall at every hurdle – someone else got there first, the budget is too tight, the timing’s wrong or the stars just didn’t align.

But when an idea does get commissioned? Euphoria, celebration, tears! And then… another commissioner meeting pops up in the diary and, yep, you guessed it – we’re back on that metaphorical bridge with a fresh coat of paint.

I’m so proud that the RTS recognises the amazing production teams that truly deserve the nominations and the wins. And while they take their well-earned bows, I also want to raise a toast (preferably prosecco) to all the development teams out there: the unsung legends who made it all happen right at the beginning. 

Dan Twist is Chair of RTS Scotland