NI partnership bears fruit for BBC3

Pubcaster BBC3 in the UK has commissioned its first show to come out of the partnership between BBC Northern Ireland and funding agency Northern Ireland Screen, announced last November.

Fiona Campbell

After two commissioning rounds with submissions from local companies and a pilot episode, BBC3 has ordered a factual format working-titled The Fast & the Farmer(ish) from Londonderry prodco Alleycats.

The show was chosen over Scran With My Nan, which features celebrities going to eat at their grandmothers’ houses and receiving life lessons as well as food. The pilot has been uploaded to BBC iPlayer.

The Fast & the Farmer(ish) (7×30’) sees two teams battle it out in modified tractors in a series of challenges that test both their vehicles and their own driving skill. Teams from all over the UK will compete.

Another Northern Irish show to be given a pilot and considered for commission is Waddell Media’s Stitch, Please! (working title), a costume-making show hosted by Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK competitor Blu Hydrangea.

Secondly, Fast Food Face Off from Belfast’s Stellify Media sees two local celebrities fight their corner on behalf of their favourite takeaways in town. The final decision on which gets commissioned will be made soon.

Fiona Campbell, controller of BBC3, said: “The quality of ideas from the Northern Ireland sector has been astonishing and deciding which idea we took to series was not easy. It’s exactly why this collaborative partnership exists and we’re really excited about The Fast & The Farmer(ish) and what it will bring to BBC3. We can’t wait to see the new pilots and we already know we’re in for an equally tough decision deciding which one we take forward.”