WHILE working as a producer on telly entertainment shows, someone asked Karen Smith if she thought reviving the age-old ballroom competition programme Come Dancing and doing it with celebrities would be a good idea. "Yes, I said, very vigorously – absolutely yes," she laughs. "I remember thinking, if we get this right, it could be huge – a proper Saturday night TV show that could really be loved by everyone from eight to 80."
That show, of course, is Strictly Come Dancing, a huge BBC One hit with consistently high viewing figures and a loyal fan following around the world. (The format, under its American title Dancing with the Stars, has been sold to more than 50 countries.)
Karen, who runs Glasgow and London-based production company Tuesday's Child, co-devised the show and was launch Executive Producer. She went on to lead the first five series, ultimately becoming creative director of BBC Entertainment, overseeing all format and factual entertainment shows.
"There were reality entertainment shows on the go, like Pop Idol and Popstars, but Strictly just seemed to give Saturday nights a whole new energy," says Karen. "And what a phenomenon it has become."
After a spell as director of programmes and then joint managing director at Shine TV, which grew to become one of the UK's biggest indie production companies with hits such as Masterchef, and Got to Dance under its belt, Karen set up Tuesday's Child in 2012.
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Its successful productions include fun team competition show Legomasters; Head Hunters, the quiz hosted by comedian Rob Beckett; and The Hit List, which sees music-lovers compete for the chance to win £10,000 by naming as many song titles and artists as possible.
Filmed in Gla
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