Sky 1 dubs Freddie Flintoff Lord of the Fries
(LONDON, Wednesday 6th August, 2014): BSkyB continues its commitment to investing in British productions with the commission of FLINTOFF: LORD OF THE FRIES. The series is the fourth show to be commissioned by Sky 1 Director, Adam MacDonald as part of the priority investment into the channel’s 8pm slot. The 6 x 60 series will be produced by Plum Pictures.
Freddie Flintoff has a dream. Since childhood he has fantasizedaboutrunning his own fish and chip shop. Now his dream is aboutto becomereality as he embarks on a most unusual summer adventure.
FLINTOFFF: LORD OF THE FRIES will see the former Englandcricketcaptain team up with tree-hugging extreme-cyclist Rob Penn astheyhit the road, touring Britain and Ireland in Fred’s very own, eco-friendly,cooking-fat-fuelledmobile chippy.
After bonding in the Amazon, where the intrepid duo recently tackled theTransAmazonian Highway by bike, Fred and Rob’s next adventure will beginat aLancastrian chip shop on the humble housing estate where Fred grewup. This will be the launch pad for an epic journey that will bringthe nation’sfavourite food to hungry summer revellers throughout the land,on and offthe beaten track. The boys will celebrate the familiar,and seek outhidden gems: from Giants Causeway to Britain’s most picturesquemotorwayservices; from ...beautiful Whitby teeming with summer visitorsto the remotemud flats of Essex. And along the way they will leaphead-first intoall the Great British outdoors has to offer: from salmonfishing in theScottish Highlands to surfing the Severn Bore in Somerset.
There will be beaches full of hungry holidaymakers and remote wild camping. Therewill be Britain’s oldest tree and tallest tower; magical forestsand bustlingbus stations. And there will be battered pollock, mushypeas, andlashings of gravy.
Freddie Flintoff said: “Fish and Chips have always beenoneof my biggest vices believe it or not so I'm glad that Sky1 have givenmethe chance to go on my very own Fish n’ Chip adventure. Rob and I hadaonce in a lifetime experience cycling through the Amazon so I'm hopingthischip shop van journey will be just as much fun but maybe a littleless sore!"
Rob Penn added: “Naturally, I’m excited about gettingonthe road with Freddie again. He loves people and that makes him sucha goodperson to travel with. I’m really looking forward to a journey aroundBritain.I can’t wait to swim in the rivers, meet ancient trees, go toa HighlandGames, visit Bosworth Field and see folk’s faces when they realiseit’sFreddie flogging fish and chips out of the back of a van. More thanallthis, though, I’m chuffed we’re making the journey in a van poweredby chipfat. We’re not going out there to preach to anyone but I hope wecan gentlyspread the sustainability message along the way.”
Adam MacDonald, Director of Sky 1, said: “Sky 1’s customers love Freddie and this show has all the energy, joy and adventure we would like our 8pm shows to have. With Freddie’s passion for fish n’ chips and Rob’s for eco-friendly travel they are the perfect partnership for Flintoff: Lord of the Fries”.
Chris Wilson, Commissioning Editor, Sky Entertainmentadded: “We’re delighted to be launching Fred and Rob’s latest project. They developed a real chemistry during their time together in the Amazon, and we’re looking forward to a heart-warming and hilarious romp through all that the great British outdoors has to offer, in the company of a compelling double-act.”
Stuart Cabb, Executive Producer for Plum Pictures commented:“We really liked the idea of twisting the tired British travelogue. Freddie, Rob and a mobile fish n chip van seemed like an irresistible combination....”
FLINTOFF: LORD OF THE FRIES has been commissionedby Adam MacDonald and Chris Wilson andwillbe series produced by Catherine Mann for Plum Pictures.Theexecutive producers are Stuart Cabb for Plum Pictures and Chris Wilson for Sky.
As part of Sky 1’sinvestment into shows for 8pm three series have alreadybeencommissioned WELCOME TO MY GARDEN , THE SUN SET, THE KINGS & QUEENS OF SPEECH. Thefirst, WELCOME TO MY GARDEN celebratesthe UK and Irelands’passion for gardening. The second is THE SUN SET,Sky 1’sfirst fixed rig series that explores the fascinating dynamics ofthe familyholiday and the third THE KINGS AND QUEENS OF SPEECH willtakekids from schools across the country and help transform their livesthrougha debating competition.
This year Sky will invest £600 million a year in original British contentandproduction across its portfolio of channels. This commitmentincludesentertainment shows GOT TO DANCE and A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN dramassuchas STRIKE BACK and MOONFLEET; comediesincluding STELLA, DOLL & EM and MOONE BOY andfactualshows as diverse as 50 WAYS TO KILL YOUR MAMMY, THE SOUTH BANK SHOW and ROSS KEMP EXTREME WORLD.
ENDS
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Notes to editor
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