Leopard Films Receives Order for New Cash in the Attic Spin-off

April 17, 2008 World Screen

LONDON, April 17: Leopard
Films has been commissioned by BBC Daytime to create Cash in the Celebrity
Attic, a new spin-off from its hit
antique-themed entertainment format Cash in the Attic.

The first run of
21×45-minute episodes of Cash in the Celebrity Attic will air in May. Each episode features stars from
the worlds of entertainment and sport, ranging from Brian Conley and Donal
McIntyre to John McCririck and Michael Winner. The celebrities are accompanied
by friends or family members as they rummage for hidden treasures around their
homes. Then their antiques and mementos are sold at auction for the benefit of
the stars' nominated charities. Macmillan Cancer Support, Water Aid, Born Free
and Mencap are among the registered charities.

Additionally, the BBC has
signed up for a 14th season of 25×45-minute episodes of Cash in the Attic for broadcast in the summer. The series continues
to build on its popularity among BBC daytime viewers, averaging 2 million
viewers with a 33.5-percent share.

Both the celebrity version
of the series and the regular edition will be fronted by Leopard's established
roster of presenters: Lorne Spicer, Alistair Appleton, Jennie Bond, Angela
Rippon and Gloria Hunniford. Jules Hudson comes on board for the 14th season of
Cash in the Attic, fresh from his
stint on BBC Two's Escape to the Country. Meanwhile, antique valuations are provided by James Rylands, Paul
Hayes, Jonty Hearnden and John Cameron.

Leopard Films’ commercial
arm, Leopard International, has licensed the TV rights to networks in Canada,
the U.S., Australia and New Zealand, with talks under way in Holland and
Belgium. UKTV also has the second rights in the U.K., which allows the
broadcaster to air repeats daily.

Lindsay Bradbury, the
executive editor, and Liam Keelan, the controller of BBC Daytime, commissioned
the new series. James Burstall will executive produce for Leopard Films, with
Simon Harries as series editor and Simon Greenwood as series producer.

—By Irene Lew