Channel 4 brings back Big Fat Gypsy Weddings for second series

26 May 2011

Channel 4's deputy head of factual entertainment - Liam Humphreys has green lit a much anticipated second series of the smash hit documentary series Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.

The first series, which aired earlier this year, averaged 9.1 million viewers and a 29.4% share over the five episodes.

Firecracker Films are in the early stages of production and have been meeting members of the travelling communities including Irish travellers, English Gypsies and Romany Gypsies to research the 6 x 60 minute films which will air in early 2012. 

Following the same documentary style, this new series will retain the core elements that made the first so popular - with the spectacular gypsy and traveller celebrations and rite of passage events remaining at the heart of the programmes.

However, each film will also investigate some of the major themes that arose from the first series - in particular looking at issues around work and money, life on the road, the family, health, prejudice, education and the cultural differences and the relationship between the different travelling communities living in the UK.

Tina Flintoff, Channel 4 Factual Entertainment Commissioning Editor said:

‘Big Fat Gypsy Weddings was a phenomenon. It would have been very easy for us to just commission more of the same but we wanted to enhance the series by adding more journalism and offering an even deeper insight into the gypsy and traveller way of life without losing what makes the show accessible - the weddings, christenings and spectacular celebrations.'

The show's executive producer Jes Wilkins has added:

'We are excited about the creative challenge of how to follow up such a successful series.  We are extremely grateful to all the gypsies and travellers who have opened up their lives to us over the last two years and we look forward to cultivating more relationships going forward.'

The series will feature some familiar faces, including dressmaker Thelma Madine, Irish Traveller Paddy Doherty and some of the brides from the first series but viewers will also meet a number of new families and follow them over a lengthy period in order to get an even greater understanding of gypsy and traveller life in Britain today.