UKTV Director of Commissioning, Hilary Rosen, announced two new shows at the Edinburgh TV Festival fronted by Katie Piper and Guy Martin.
Guy Martin’s Proper Jobs (4×60’), for U&Dave and free streaming service, U, is a four-part series is to be produced by North One and will air in 2025.
Guy Martin’s Proper Jobs will see the motorcycle racer, truck fitter, part-time farmer, enthusiastic engineer and television presenter attempt a variety of different roles “that involve a lot of hard graft, no shortage of skill and that perhaps don’t get the recognition they deserve.”
In the show, he will “fully immerse himself in his new role and undergo all the essential training, live with his co-workers, and by doing so, learn more about the people who do these jobs day in, day out.”
The jobs Guy will be doing include becoming a trawler deckhand, getting to grips with nature as a wildlife warden on the remote Calf of Man island, training to become a firefighter “in some scarily real environments”, and becoming part of the dog mountain rescue team tackling dangerous terrain as a mountain rescue guide.
Guy Martin said, “I’ve just always been fascinated by people who are masters of their trade, especially when they’re right into it, so it’s an honour to work alongside some right interesting folk and find out a bit more about how and why they do it. There’s a load of jobs I’ve always wanted to have a go at and if an opportunity comes to get stuck in and learn from proper experts and grafters, then sign me up. Fingers crossed I don’t cock things up.”
The U&Dave Original series has been commissioned by Helen Nightingale, Head of Factual for UKTV, and ordered for U&Dave by Cherie Hall, Channel Director, and Hilary Rosen, Director of Commissioning. Executive Producer for North One is Steve Gowans and the Series Producers and Directors are Ewan Keil and James Woodroffe. Guy Martin’s Proper Jobs will air on U&Dave and streaming service U in 2025.
Helen Nightingale, Head of Factual, UKTV said: “Guy is someone we’ve admired for a long time and this new series will have all the elements that make him so popular – his enthusiasm, his passion, and the fact that while showing the utmost respect for others, he doesn’t take himself too seriously. I’m delighted to be working with North One again and I know they’ll make a brilliant series.”
Cherie Hall, Channel Director, U&Dave, added: “Guy’s background and own work ethic make him the perfect person to tackle these proper jobs and his unique take on things makes him a naturally funny, and perfect character for U&Dave. I can’t wait to see him get his hands dirty on these proper jobs.”
Katie Piper returns to U&W for her new series, Katie Piper: Locked Up In Louisiana
Across four episodes Katie will meet the inmates at New Orleans Parish Prison, where she will delve into inmates’ cases and try to uncover what drove these women to commit the serious and shocking crimes they have been accused of.
Katie Piper says, “Off camera I am committed to working with women in prisons to understand motivation and help rehabilitation, and I’m really proud to be making this second series with Flicker and U&W – they are an all-female team that has empathy and storytelling as the heart of what they do. We travelled to America and in one prison I try to understand what has led the women we meet to this point, what circumstances have they been living in, what trauma they experienced and how their lives have been affected. For some this isn’t simple, and we consider how a wide range of factors effect different people in different ways. I hope that it gives viewers an insight into something that isn’t perhaps as straightforward as you would initially think and gives us all some pause for thought.”
Katie Piper previously presented Katie Piper: Jailhouse Mums for U&W Similarly, this new series is produced by Flicker. The new documentary series is commissioned by Helen Nightingale, head of factual and factual entertainment with Kirsty Hanson, senior commissioning editor, and ordered for U&W by Adam Collings, channel director, and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning.
Kirsty Hanson, Senior Commissioning Editor, UKTV, says, “We are thrilled to be working with Katie and the brilliant team at Flicker again on the brand new series Katie Piper: Locked Up In Louisiana. This time we will see Katie meet women who have been accused of very serious and sometimes heinous crimes and try to unravel and understand their motivations. With our previous series Katie Piper: Jailhouse Mums being such a success with our audience, this series promises to follow suit being a captivating and poignant watch.”
Adam Collings, Channel Director, U&W, says, “I’m delighted to announce that Katie Piper will be returning to U&W for another unfiltered view into the US prison system. Viewers can expect an unflinching look into these complicated stories with Katie at the helm. It’s an essential addition to a brilliant slate for 2025.”
Katie Piper: Locked Up In Louisiana will air on U and U&W in 2025.
Director of Commissioning, UKTV, said: “I’m delighted to announce these two new commissions for U&Dave and U&W, joining our expanding slate of talent-led factual entertainment content.
“Guy Martin’s Proper Jobs marks Guy’s first project with UKTV, and it’s brilliant to collaborate with him, and North One, on a show that combines Guy’s trademark adventurism with direct insights into some of Britain’s most challenging and inspiring jobs.
“Working with Katie Piper and Flicker on Katie’s second U&W original series, Katie Piper: Locked Up In Louisiana, has been extremely rewarding. Katie embarks on a journey to uncover the experiences of women in an American prison, approaching their stories with her unique compassion and empathy.”
Jon Creamer
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