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Richard Hopkins, one of the executives responsible for the BBC’s revival of Strictly Come Dancing and co-MD of Fever Media has died, aged 47.
Hopkins passed away on Saturday, January 7. He was diagnosed with cancer eight months ago and is survived by his wife and three daughters.
As creative head of format entertainment at the BBC between 2003 and 2006, Hopkins developed, pitched and produced BBC1 series Strictly Come Dancing and worked on the US version, Dancing With The Stars.
David Mortimer, who co-founded Fever Media with Hopkins in 2006, said: “Television is by its nature an ephemeral business, so very few of us can hope to have any lasting legacy. Richard was a glorious exception to this rule, and as one of the greatest producers of his generation he quite literally got the world dancing.”
Sony Music, which is a joint venture partner in Fever, paid tribute to Hopkins calling him “one of the most gifted TV producers of his generation.”
Hopkins’ production credits included Fame Academy, The Big Breakfast, Fear Factor, Big Brother and The 11 O’Clock Show, which is remembered for introduing performers such as Sacha Baron Cohen and Ricky Gervais.
Recent shows from Hopkins include BBC1′s The People’s Quiz, BBC3′s Move Like Michael Jackson and Catch in the US.
