Top Gear

Making Shows Great Again

In recent years, we have seen such enduring favourites as Blind Date, Top Gear, Dancing on Ice and Robot Wars revamped and returned, with the aim of recapturing loyal audiences and attracting new ones.

We have seen The Great British Bake-Off switch channels and talent and receive just as much love and adoration on Channel 4 as it did on BBC. The key question is: when do you stick and when do you twist? In the company of four experienced TV executives intimately acquainted with one of TV’s great gambles, we find out….

Top Gear's Andy Wilman and Happy Valley's Nicola Shindler give hit-making masterclass

Andy Wilman and Nicola Shindler talk on stage at the RTS London Convention, either side of host Camilla Lewis

It is the holy grail of television: launching a guaranteed, solid-gold, ratings winner. But how to do it? There were plenty of insights when Curve Media CEO Camilla Lewis questioned Andy Wilman, executive producer of Clarkson’s Farm and The Grand Tour, and Nicola Shindler, founder of Quay Street Productions. “If anyone knows how to make a hit programme it is these two,” said Lewis.

Happy Valley and The Grand Tour producers on how to make a hit show | RTS London Convention 2024

From Happy Valley to Fool Me Once, The Grand Tour to Clarkson’s Farm, Nicola Shindler and Andy Wilman have presided over programmes which resonate hugely with their audiences.

What do they look for in new ideas, and how do they develop them?

Chaired by Camilla Lewis, CEO of Curve Media.

BBC commissions new documentary Freddie Flintoff On Bulimia

Freddie Flintoff (Credit: BBC)

Freddie Flintoff On Bulimia will see Flintoff try to understand the causes and impact of his personal struggles with bulimia and explore why eating disorders are so hidden in men.

The famous cricketer will talk to experts and men suffering from the illness to learn about the reality of being a man with an eating disorder.

Flintoff has gone from being one of Britain’s best loved sporting heroes to having a successful screen career, which includes the coveted role as a Top Gear presenter.

Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff to present new series of Top Gear

Freddie Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris (Credit: BBC)

Following the departures of host Matt LeBlanc and co-presenter Rory Reid after the next series, McGuinness and Flintoff will join Chris Harris in a new all-British line-up of Top Gear.

Sabine Schmitz will remain in the Top Gear family with Reid continuing to host Top Gear spin-off Extra Gear on BBC Two.

The announcement took place near the River Thames in London as a photocall, as the new line-up was joined by the real stars of the show: a blue Porsche 911 GT2RS and a red Aston Martin DSB Superleggera.

Video: Show Me The Money! Andy Harries and Andy Wilman discuss working on the new frontier of broadcasting

It’s the dream scenario for a producer: to be handed a huge budget and the creative freedom to create compelling content for a new platform.  Producers Andy Harries and Andy Wilman, in conversation with Peter Fincham, discuss the origins and production of The Crown and The Grand Tour respectively. How did it work, how sustainable is it and where do they go from here?

Top Gear to return in March

The series is back with Matt le Blanc, Rory Reid and Chris Harris forming the main line up.

Sabine Schmitz and Eddie Jordan also make a return in the series in supporting roles, Rory Reid revealed in an exclusive interview with the RTS.

The new series, he says, is “going back to what Top Gear was very well known for – wacky ideas, big ambitious projects, things that are scary to look at and dangerous to take part in.”