Interviewed by journalist Mark Lawson, Pope discussed his career, which, as a writer and producer, has seen him win BAFTAs for See No Evil: The Moors Murderers and the film, Philomena. His credits also include Appropriate Adult about serial killers Fred and Rose West.
Pope’s latest project is the heart-rending Little Boy Blue, which tells the story of the murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones, an innocent victim of gang conflict in Liverpool.
The popular comedy is written by and stars Sian Gibson and Peter Kay as supermarket employees John and Kayleigh who found themselves thrown together as part of the company car share scheme.
Originally launching on BBC iPlayer in 2015, the series was a huge success, becoming the most watched new sitcom since 2011. It also won Best Scripted Comedy at the BAFTA Television Awards, while Peter Kay took home an award for Best Male Performance in a Comedy.
Each year the RTS awards excellence in student television production in the North West. The winners will be announced on Tuesday 9 February by Good Morning Britain's Ranvir Singh.
The nominees for 2016 are as follows:
FACTUAL
Resort - Manchester School of Art/Manchester Metropolitan University
RTS Wales joined the Institute of Welsh Affairs to host a lively debate on the future of Welsh broadcasting at Glyndŵr University in Wrexham at the end of October.
In a pre-recorded video message, the Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, expressed concern about the weakening position of broadcast media in Wales.
The RTS Centre’s administrator, Hywel Wiliam, gave a brief overview of the key features of the current communications market.
Fisayo Akinade tells Lindsey Russell that he is over the moon about winning the Best Performance in a Single Drama or Drama Series (Male) category for E4's Banana.
Here he explains what it was like working with Russell T. Davis in the Red Production Company show.
Sorcha Groundsell was nominated for best performance in single drama for Sleeping Lions.
Here she tells Lindsey Russell that she is thrilled to be at the RTS Awards.
Actress and Writer Sian Gibson tells Lindsey Russell how she pleased she is for friend Peter Kay who won a RTS North West Award for Best Performance in Comedy in Car Share.
Here she explains the fun she had filming the BBC One show.
Actor and Presenter Ted Robbins tells the RTS' Lindsey Russell that he is looking ahead to some of the categories before presenting the awards.
Here he explains what he is looking forward to.
Actor and Comedian Vic Reeves who has written an array of programmes including Shooting Stars and Vic & Bob's Afternoon Delights reveals to Presenter Lindsey Russell that he is a huge Coronation Street fan.
Here he discusses the RTS North West Award ceremony.
Manchester Town Hall, 30 November (10.00am - 4.00pm)
This conference will consider the portrayal of poverty on television; it is being held by the BBC, The Royal Television Society, NCVO and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
