BSkyB furthers its commitment to investing in home-grown productions with the commission of THE FANATICS. The 8x60 series will be produced by Victory Television, a joint venture with Sony Pictures Television (SPT). The series has been commissioned by Sky 1 Director, Adam MacDonald as part of the priority investment into the channel’s 8pm slot.

THE FANATICS will be hosted by the face of Sky 1’s 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy Baz Ashmawy as each episode celebrates the most passionate, utterly obsessed and fantastically devoted people. Their obsessions are all-consuming. Their infatuation is deep-rooted. Their knowledge is unparalleled. And now these super fans will do battle in a high-tension, high-stakes game show that puts their knowledge to the ultimate test to crown only one player THE FANATICS. Over a series of rounds three contestants will have to demonstrate incredible powers of recall, observation, dexterity and an unprecedented level of knowledge of their chosen subject.

Baz Ashmawy, commented: “I'm very excited to be working on the Sky1 gameshow THE FANATICS. I love the vision that Sky and the production team at Victory have for the show. It's a quirky fun show with wonderfully warm, interesting and slightly obsessive contestants. It's going to be a lot of fun to make. I can’t wait!”

Based on the original format from Workpoint Entertainment, the series was commissioned by Director of Sky 1 Adam MacDonald and Sky Entertainment Commissioner Chris Brogden.

Adam MacDonald, Director of Sky 1 commented: "We are excited that Baz has agreed to host THE FANATICS. It is a big joyous celebration of the passions that enthral us and Baz is perfect to drive it.”

Victoria Ashbourne, managing director of Victory Television, said: “We are excited to be bringing THE FANATICS to UK viewers for the first time. This is a high-tension, high-stakes game show which celebrates Britain’s most passionate and most committed fans.” 

Chris Brogden, Commissioning Editor for Sky Entertainment added: “THE FANATICS will make heroes out of the most unlikely contestants and celebrate the most passionate, most committed and, sometimes, most eccentric people in what’s set to be a fun contest for fact fans everywhere.”

The series will air on Sky 1 in early 2015. It will be executive produced by Stuart Shawcross and Tamara Gilder of Victory Television, with Aaron Morgan as series producer. 

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Notes to editors:
About Sky
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