Factual Entertainment

The Holy Grail of TV - Returning Formats | RTS Scotland

An expert panel discusses their favourite factual-entertainment returning series, unpacking what makes them work and why they continue to be ratings winners not just at home but around the world.

Chaired by broadcaster and Homes Under the Hammer presenter, Martel Maxwell, the panel includes:

Jo Street, Head of Daytime and Features at Channel 4

Craig Hunter, Creative Director of Factual at STV Studios

Andrew Jackson, Creative Director at Raise the Roof Productions

Caroline McCaw, Researcher

Mat Marsters, Series Producer at Lion TV

The Misinvestigations of Romesh Ranganathan among the BBC’s new factual entertainment slate

Head of Commissioning, Popular Factual and Entertainment, Catherine Catton, commented: "The new commissions I’m announcing today demonstrate the strength of the department, with three new series that celebrate and engage with contemporary British life in a timely and relevant way.

"Factual entertainment at the BBC is all about bringing viewers joy and pleasure, and I hope that these new shows continue to do just that.”

Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan on the making of Sky One's Rob and Romesh Vs

Comedy is hard graft. But comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan made light work of an RTS session that turned the spotlight on the pair’s hilarious Sky One factual entertainment series, Rob and Romesh Vs. The third season starts this month.

The show sees the likely lads gamely taking on unfamiliar worlds and situations. It could be basketball or, more unlikely still, ballet.

Kathy Burke to tackle money in Kathy Burke: All Money

As a society we are obsessed with the pursuit of wealth but our relationship to it remains complex. People can demonise those who don’t have it and sneer at those who have recently acquired it.

Across the two episodes, Burke will meet people from all walks of life to investigate the reasons for this difference in treatment, and attempt to predict how attitudes may change after the current crisis.

Anna Richardson to host Channel 4 show about sex and relationships in lockdown

Anna Richardson (Credit: Channel 4)

From couples isolating together who are still enjoying the honeymoon period, to cohabitating couples stuck in a rut, or even singletons who want to spice up their phone sex, the show will reveal what people get up to behind closed doors, along with some handy 'how to' guides.

Richardson also shares the results of a specially commissioned poll which exposes how people’s relationships and habits have changed during the lockdown.

Caroline Flack fronts new cosmetic surgery series

Caroline Flack at the RTS Programme Awards 2018 (Credit: Paul Hampartsoumian)

The Surjury (w/t) follows a jury of 12 members from the public as they decide if people should go under the knife for the cosmetic surgery of their dreams.

The series will allow candidates to receive measured advice about the cosmetic procedures they desire and give them the freedom to explore their choices with more information.

Introduced by Flack, the candidates will need to gain a majority of the jury vote to secure the procedure they’ve requested.

If the surgery goes ahead, candidates are then invited back to demonstrate the results of their operation.

BBC orders new Rylan makeover show and more

Rylan Clark-Neal (Credit: BBC)

Rylan Clark-Neal will present a new BBC One fashion makeover show, You Are What You Wear, which gives people the chance to makeover their look with the help of professional stylists.

Also coming to BBC One is new series, Easy Ways To Live Well, in which Steph McGovern and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall team up to bring people tips on how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Returning to BBC Two following the hit ratings for series one, is global travel series Race Across The World, which has been confirmed for two further series. 

Emma Willis: Delivering Babies returns to W for a second series

(Credit: UKTV)

The first series saw Willis train for three months as a Maternity Care Assistant (MCA) by working ten-hour shifts, cleaning beds and taking patients' blood pressure.

No longer a trainee, the presenter will return to the Princess Alexandra Hospital for the project’s second season, ready to help the NHS staff there bring new life into the world.

She will also visit some of the parents and babies she met during training for a one-off special, Emma Willis: Meet the Babies, and look back at last year’s births.