reality TV

Love Island: the secrets behind the ITV2 hit

(Credit: Paul Hampartsoumian)

Ahead of the new series, which starts on 4 June, an RTS early evening event brought together some of the reality show’s key people to explain the secret of its success.

Having left E4 to run ITV’s digital channels, Angela Jain recalled that she had been looking for a new entertainment format that was “ big in scale and volume”. As a former commissioner of Big Brother, she “really understood the value of having a really chunky show and what it does to your schedules”.

‘Sun, sea and sass’: Channel 4 announces new holiday series Shipmates

Two groups of mates will be jetting off to the Med joining thousands of tanned and toned twenty somethings for a once-in-a-lifetime party aboard one of Europe’s most lavish cruise liners.

This series joins the Anchored Cruise, where 2,500 young holidaymakers let their hair down with an itinerary of pool parties, DJs and some of the most exclusive events in the world.

Geordie Shore's Charlotte Crosby lands her own reality show

Charlotte Crosby (Credit: MTV).

The tell-all show will follow Charlotte, going behind the scenes to capture heartbreak, hard work and the rekindling of relationships.

From her glamourous lifestyle travelling the world, to being herself at home, nothing will be off limits in this no holds barred series. Other famous faces are also set to make appearances.

The eight part series is set to air in March 2018.

The Island with Bear Grylls 2017: Meet the contestants

Armed with some survival training, the clothes they stand in, filming equipment, medical supplies, some basic tools and fishing equipment and enough water for 24 hours, the islanders will be forced to fend for themselves in the outdoors as they face dehydration, hunger and severe weather conditions during storm season.

The six-part series will have a new twist as two groups from different generations will be dropped on a pair of neighbouring islands without the knowledge of the other.

What's next for reality TV?

MTV’s new reality offering is Spring Break With Grandad, which sees eight attractive young singletons head off to Cancun in Mexico for the “greatest vacation of their lives”. The catch? Their grandparents are coming along too.

The RTS spoke to the presenter of the show, Geordie Shore’s Gary Beadle, as well as Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing and TV executive Dom Bird about the popularity of the genre, and what comes next.

Sir Bradley Wiggins completes The Jump 2017 line-up

The Tour De France winner and eight-time Olympic medallist will join a raft of famous faces taking part in the fourth series of the perilous winter sport contest, held in Austria.

This year’s competition could be the toughest yet, as a large number of sports personalities are due to take to the slopes.

They include former England Rugby Captain Jason Robinson OBE, former England footballer Robbie Fowler, Olympic medallists Louis Smith and Jade Jones and Paralympic medallist Kadeena Cox.

E4 commissions Walk of Shame Shuttle

Black cab

Walk of Shame Shuttle will see daring party animals in need of a lift home reveal details of their most outrageous nights out during a confessional taxi ride. The open passengers will reveal their wildest stories to a cast of shuttle drivers Jay, Max and AJ, who act as personalised chauffeurs and agony aunts as they delve into their hilarious confessions and exploits without judgement.

Becky Crosthwaite: Finding a place in reality TV

Becky Crosthwaite

There are so many different jobs in the reality TV field, from Story, Art, Gallery and Edit Producing to Directing, and the best way to get into the genre is usually as a Runner or Logger. When I started out in TV I didn't know games teams existed but I knew I wanted to work in a creative and ideas-based environment. I worked in a few development departments, but it was frustrating pouring my heart and soul into creating formats that sadly sometimes just wouldn't get commissioned. Then when I heard about games from a colleague, it was like fireworks going off in my head.

Great British Menu returns to BBC Two

BBC, Great British Menu, Food, Houses of Parliament

More than 20 chefs will compete in a series of eight regional heats and will be judged by eight past competition winners, now some of the most in-demand chefs in the UK.

The two highest scoring chefs according to the veteran judges will go head-to-head, presenting their four-course menus to award-winning restaurant critic Matthew Fort, queen of British cookery Prue Leith and acclaimed restaurateur Oliver Peyton.

Each week the judges are joined by an expert guest judge including food critics, restaurateurs and chefs.