Gameshow execs say Hello to prodco

Executive producers and format creators Victoria Ashbourne and Stuart Shawcross have launched a UK production outfit called Hello Dolly.

Victoria Ashbourne

The company will create and produce original entertainment formats for the local and international markets.

CEO Ashbourne and chief creative officer Shawcross have previously collaborated on gameshows such as BBC1’s The National Lottery: Win Your Wish List and Channel 4’s Five Minutes to a Fortune and Benchmark.

Prior to launching Hello Dolly, Ashbourne founded Victory Television, a joint venture with Sony Pictures Television, in 2011. As MD she led the business to win more than 15 commissions in five years.

As an executive producer, Ashbourne has worked with talent including Chris Tarrant, Davina McCall, Paddy McGuinness, Paul O’Grady, Phillip Schofield and Graham Norton.

Stuart Shawcross

She was responsible for launching the first live interactive series of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? for ITV, as well as Win Your Wish List, A Night with Beyoncé and All Star Mr & Mrs.

Shawcross’s gameshow creations include Win Your Wish List, Benchmark, Five Minutes to a Fortune and No. 1 Soap Fan.

He developed and launched the live play-along app for Who Wants to be a Millionaire? as well as re-developing and executive producing third-party formats including The Fanatics for Sky1 and Draw It! for Channel 4.

Prior to launching Hello Dolly, Shawcross was director of entertainment at Youngest Media and was also creative director of Victory Television.