Friday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

BBC’s Celebrity Traitors head to US

US streamer Peacock is to debut the UK version of The Celebrity Traitors.

The BBC version of the Dutch format, which became a smash hit for the UK broadcaster, will debut on the NBC Universal-owned streamer from 20 November.

All nine episodes will become available on Peacock, which already has its own US version. The streamer has also ordered a civilian reboot of the format.

The BBC and Peacock have previously traded their respective versions of the format, with both shows produced by Studio Lambert Scotland.

Sky unveils Saturday Night Live UK creative leads

Sky has revealed the top creative team for Saturday Night Live UK as the broadcaster’s preparation continue for the adaptation of the iconic US sketch comedy series.

James Longman will be lead producer on the upcoming six-part series, with Daran Jonno Johnson as head writer and Liz Clare as director.

Two-time Emmy winner Longman has over 20 years’ experience across comedy and entertainment with credits including The Late Late Show with James Corden, where he oversaw comedy for the series, producing iconic sketches and segments with the likes of Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey and Tom Cruise. Read more

Bectru calls for Gibb exit

UK union Bectu has written to culture secretary Lisa Nandy and BBC chair Samir Shah demanding the removal of Robbie Gibb from the broadcaster’s board.

It argues that BBC staff are concerned that Gibb, who was appointed as a non-executive director in 2021 by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has become a “distraction” and that he is a direct block to the BBC maintaining its chartered objective of independence.

Gibb, who was formerly Theresa May’s former communications chief, head of BBC Westminster and deputy editor of Newsnight, is at the centre of allegations of an internal coup against Tim Davie. Read more