BBC NI to create marriage bootcamp
- Published: 23 June 2008 11:38
- Author: Broadcast reporters
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- Last Updated: 24 June 2008 11:25
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Green Inc Film & Television will attempt to cure husbands of their bad habits by sending them to a "marriage bootcamp" for a BBC Northern Ireland show.
Angie Best, the former wife of footballing legend George Best, will front the 6 x 30-minute You're Not The Man I Married (working title). The show will encourage couples to reignite the spark in their marriages with advice from relationship counsellors.
Stephen Stewart, managing director of the Belfast-based indie, said: "There's nobody that's a bigger icon in Northern Ireland than George Best. Angie is really popular and well-liked; as one of his ex-wives, she's the original WAG. She's been there and done it, and has been through one of the most publicised relationships in Northern Ireland's history. There'll be a lot of interest in seeing Angie present."
Stewart added that although the series will take an upbeat tone, the producers intend to explore the weightier issues behind marriage break-ups.
"We are going to dig below the surface and there are going to be underlying problems, which could potentially become major problems," he said.
Couples are currently being invited to apply for the series, which is being made with a Friday night slot in mind and will be delivered to the broadcaster in September 2008. It will be shot in HD.
The show was ordered by BBC Northern Ireland head of programmes Ailsa Orr and broadcasting commissioning editor Fergus Keeling. Chris Jones will executive produce for Green Inc, with Kathy Littler producing and Robin Murray directing.
