Channel 4 Features commissions raft of new shows

21 May 2013

Harry Wallop, presenter, Something for Nothing

Channel 4 Features has commissioned a raft of new programmes that will show viewers how to get beach ready for summer, how to bag great stuff without spending a penny, how to achieve the life they’ve always dreamed of, and how to transform homes at half the cost of moving.

Gok Wan will return to the screen with brand new series, Gok’s Summer Catwalk Live, to help women solve their dressing dilemmas for the summer holiday season. Summer for many people means looking forward to sea, sand and sunshine. But for millions it’s a time of year to dread, when the thought of baring legs, arms, midriffs makes many pray for rain.

In his first live show for Channel 4, Gok will tell viewers everything they need to know to be ‘on trend’ this summer. His huge catwalk show will be packed with hot tips on how to look good in the sun and Gok will be on hand to show every woman, no matter what her size or body shape, that she can look fabulous in a bikini or swimsuit. And Katie Piper will offer a step by step guide to holiday beauty maintenance, preening and pruning the public with tips on waxing, tanning and plucking.

The 3x60’ series was commissioned by Channel 4 Head of Features, Gill Wilson, and will be produced by Remarkable Television, an Endemol company. It will be executive produced by Kitty Walshe and series produced by Catherine Mann and be on Channel 4 in the summer.

In Something for Nothing, journalist and consumer guru, Harry Wallop sets out to uncover how much you can get for free. With everyone keeping a close eye on their finances, this programme will show viewers how to access thousands of pounds worth of free goods and services from big nights out to free meals, designer clothes and expensive makeovers and health checks.

Commissioned by Features Commissioning Editor, Nick Hornby and made by RDF Television, the 2x60 episodes will cover everything from everyday basics to life’s luxuries. Inspired by some of the country’s most extreme freebie finders, Harry will show viewers how to get give-aways across the UK, setting himself ambitious super saving challenges to see if he can put his plans into action in the aim of testing the outer limits of just how much you can get without spending a penny.

Something for Nothing will be executive produced by Andrew Anderson and air on Channel 4 this summer.

Brand new series Compare Your Life will see former CEO of Confused.com, Carlton Hood, help families achieve their dreams of a new life.  Over four million Brits have abandoned the rat race to be their own bosses, but most of us are too overwhelmed by the commitments of our current lives and by the staggering number of possible new opportunities to make such a big change. Using the science of comparison, Carlton will reveal how much families are worth, get them to decide what their priorities really are and guide them to make potentially life changing decisions rationally rather than emotionally.

The 6x60 series, made by True North Productions, will follow a different family each episode as they begin their journey towards a new life centred around owning a business. They will travel the country, and sometimes even go abroad, to see three amazing options available to them which include a business for sale and a property where they could live. But when it comes to taking the big decision, will they be brave enough to take the plunge and change their lives forever? 

Compare Your Life was commissioned by Features Commissioning Editor Karoline Copping. It will be executive produced by Fiona O’Sullivan and air on Channel 4 in the summer.  

Channel 4 has also ordered a second run of Sarah Beeny’s Double Your House for Half the Money, which is set to air later this year. With the relaxation of planning laws, there’s never been a better time to develop your own home – and this series shows viewers how to create a dream property without having to move. Packed with inspiring tips and useful information, Sarah will shows how to double the size of a home – without breaking the bank.

The 10 x 60 series was commissioned by Features Commissioning Editor, Katie Boyd, and will be made by Red House, a Zodiak Media Company.  John Silver and Kurt Seywald are executive producers and Hamish Summers series producer. 

ENDS.