Hot Shots 2025: Abi Cox

Such was Abi Cox’s commitment to fine-tuning E4 dating show Honesty Box that she became qualified as a lie-detector technician – and was even offered a job by the company providing the devices.

Thankfully for start-up indie Mettlemouse, Abi politely declined. As development producer, she was involved in the first brainstorms for the show, developing the format and its look and feel, researching the technology, helping to cast the hosts and working with legal and editorial on a potentially sensitive concept.

She also helped Mettlemouse reach the final stages of tender for ITV’s The Box alongside big-hitters like Studio Lambert, Remarkable and bid winner Twofour.

Abi was previously a development assistant producer at Banijay Creative Networks, where she helped to develop Endemol Shine Israel format Save the Date. She then moved to Hungry Bear Media, where she rose to development producer, helping shows from Gladiators to C4’s Me And The Voices In My Head over the line and championing under-represented off-screen talent through the Hungry Runners scheme.

“Abi makes everything better and there is seemingly nothing she can’t turn her hand to,” say Mettlemouse creative director Shaun Parry and founder Sarah Tyekiff.

“She’ll have a brilliant idea one moment, write, source and cut a banging sizzle the next, and turn a beautiful presentation around in just a few hours.”