‘Pooch Perfect.’
The BBC has commissioned a UK version of Pooch Perfect, the competitive reality series based on the UK/Australian format.
English actress/singer Sheridan Smith (Cleaning Up, The Moorside, Four Lives) will host the eight-part UK series, produced by Seven Studios UK.
The format was created by Seven Studios’ UK head of development Nikki Pinkus, creative director Damon Pattison and Sonya Wilkes, co-head of unscripted for Seven Studios Australia.
Rebel Wilson hosts the Aussie production, which premiered on February 27 on the Seven Network, winning its 7.30 pm slot in all people and key 25-54 demographic.
However the ratings for the second series in the mainland capitals averaged 441,000, down from the premiere’s 624,000, suggesting a short-lived novelty factor.
Seven Studios UK’s first original commission, the series will feature 10 pairs of professional dog stylists from around the country as they take part in themed challenges to transform pets as they vie for the title of the UK’s top dog stylist.
Each week, the teams will reveal their creations on The Dogwalk, where the judges will deliberate over the week’s canine contenders and their owners get the chance to see their newly transformed dogs for the first time.
Seven Studios CEO Therese Hegarty said: “We are thrilled with BBC1’s commission of Pooch Perfect, particularly as the original idea for the show came from our hugely talented UK team. Pooch Perfect is a fantastic new addition to our strong slate of internationally successful formats and programs.”
International players including Banijay Group, ITV Studios, Comcast’s NBCUniversal and The Walt Disney Company have expressed an interest in Seven Studios after Seven West Media ordered a strategic review of its production arm.