Producer-director Jamie Goold has died unexpectedly aged 57
Tributes are being paid to 007: Road to a Million director Jamie Goold, who has died suddenly from a heart attack at the age of 57.
Goold was based between the UK and the Netherlands and was a specialist in unscripted entertainment shows. His work on 72 Films, EON and MGM Television’s James Bond-themed adventure competition saw him wrangle contestants across locations from the iconic film franchise, including the Scottish Highlands, the Alps, Chile, Venice and Brazil for the chance to win £1m.
His friend and colleague Julian Jones, who also served as a director on the Prime Video series, remembered his “infectious smile and energy”.
“Jamie was an incredibly talented and enthusiastic director, who was always excited about what he was doing. He was also really good at it, directing most of my favourite sequences in the first series of Road to a Million,” he said.
“Despite working as a director for a long time, Jamie always had a big smile on his face, and he never lost his excitement about the job and the travel that came with it. He was also an adventurous spirit outside of work, going off on motorbike tours around Europe and being a great dad to his wonderful kids. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
Goold’s producer-director credits also include 5’s Playgrounds of the Rich and Famous (Crackit) and Big Weekends With Gregg Wallace (Rumpus), BBC Earth’s Fishing Impossible (Alaska) and BBC2’s Earth’s Wildest Waters: The Big Fish (BBC Natural History Unit).
Executive producer Guy Gilbert, who studied with Goold at Bournemouth Film School, paid tribute to his “easy going” and “popular” friend.
“He was one of those guys that everyone loved, and he was certainly the most popular person at Bournemouth. When you went for a drink with him, everyone else wanted to come along – which was kind of annoying at times!
“But his skill of getting on with absolutely everyone went well with filmmaking and getting the best out of his contributors.”
Gilbert also served as series producer on the BBC4 series Rock Shrines, directed by Goold, which focused on memorial sites dedicated to rock musicians. He recalled a moment when the “always kind and helpful” Goold saved the day when the channel controller berating his original title sequence for the series.
“Jamie just grabbed the camera and disappeared for the day. He came back with the most amazing footage shot from Victorian graveyards. It was stunning stuff, all done in one day, and the head of the channel loved it,” he said.
Series producer Mike McDowall called him a “unique talent”.
“He was exceptionally creative, utterly committed, and super intelligent. But he was also humble and kind. That and a rare gift for charming absolutely everyone he encountered really set him apart,” he said.
“As a director, he was a series producer’s dream - demanding but always gracious, dependable but always looking to go the extra mile, and whatever the pressures, his humour and unflappable optimistic outlook prevailed.
“Jamie was generous with his talents, and I and many others will hugely miss his enthusiasm, his ideas, and his friendship. I am devastated that a man so blessed with the joy of life has died with so much still left to give,” he added.
BBC technologist Glenn Chappell called Goold “the most positive and enthusiastic person” who “never had a bad word to say about anyone”.
“We used to go to the pub after work, and he was just such a nice person to hang out with. He has been taken far too soon,” Chappell added.
Goold leaves behind a partner and three children. They will host a celebration of Goold’s life in Holland tomorrow (Friday 31 October, 12pm GMT), which will be livestreamed on YouTube here.
They invite those who want to pay tribute to join them online for the ceremony. The link will remain available afterwards.
“We hope this stream allows friends and loved ones near and far to reflect, love and remember Jamie’s presents, his personality, and his joy,” said his family, Grietje, Jaya, Wiesje and Angel Besteman-Goold.
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