Sky1 ties the knot with BBC’s Bride

UK satcaster Sky1 has bagged reality wedding show Don’t Tell the Bride after BBC3 ditched it ahead of the channel’s imminent move online.

Don’t Tell the Bride has been dropped by BBC3 as it heads online

The UK satcaster has ordered two 12-part seasons of the show, which follows grooms as they plan the perfect wedding for their anxious brides-to-be.

Don’t Tell the Bride is scheduled to air next summer and will continue to be produced by Warner Bros-owned Renegade Pictures, with Modern Times Group’s UK distributor DRG selling internationally.

Sky1 said its version would “be pacier in format, with action building quickly to the much-anticipated bridal gown reveal and drama of the big day.”

BBC3 said it was dropping the show last year as part of preparations to move online, a plan confirmed by governing body The BBC Trust last week.

It is cutting back on reality shows and has instead been ordering programmes including Doctor Who spin-off Class, Marnie Dickens drama Thirteen and documentary series Breaking the Mould, which explores gender issues.

Don’t Tell the Bride joins dramas such as The Five and Agatha Raisin, comedy series Stella and imports such as The Muppets on Sky1’s 2016 slate.

Adam MacDonald, Sky1’s director, said the show was “best-in-class, family-friendly entertainment and a British TV institution to boot. Many of our customers are already huge fans of the show, so we’re delighted to be giving the brand-new series a home on Sky1.”