POOCH PERFECT becomes an international success story for SEVEN

In an age where content is king, Seven Studios is proving itself as a production house that can sell formats internationally.

The network has announced its latest reality show Pooch Perfect has been sold to the BBC which will make its own local version of the moderately successful format.

While the Australian version stars Rebel Wilson, the BBC version will star Sheridan Smith OBE and Damon Pattison will be Executive Producer. It will be produced by Seven Studios UK.

Pooch Perfect launched strong, winning its tiimeslot in total people and the key 25-54 demographic but lost viewers in its second outing. It features ten pairs of professional dog stylists from around the country, taking part in a series of themed challenges to create epic transformations of beloved pets, as they compete to be crowned the nation’s Top Dog Stylist.

Seven says that since the announcement of the format in late 2019, the company has been fielding global enquiries, with BBC One being the second broadcaster to commission the show after the Seven Network.

Commenting on the commission, Seven Studios CEO Therese Hegarty, said:

“We are thrilled with BBC One’s commission of Pooch Perfect, particularly as the original idea for the show came from our hugely talented UK team. Pooch Perfect is a fantastic new addition to our strong slate of internationally successful formats and programs”.

Seven Studios growing slate now includes recently announced production of Amazon’s first major scripted series in Australia, Back To The Rafters, as well as the commission of multiple original series for Facebook Watch. Seven Studios-backed Slim Film and Television also recently announced David Tennant in the lead of its international co-production Around The World in 80 Days, based on the Jules Verne classic.

Pooch Perfect airs in Australia at 7.30pm Thursdays on Channel 7.

The BBC have issued a press release which is below:

Pooch Perfect is coming to BBC One

Sheridan Smith and BBC One are on the search for the UK’s Top Dog Stylist in a brand-new competitive reality entertainment TV series.

BBC One has announced that multi award-winning actress and multi dog-owning star Sheridan Smith OBE will host its new competitive dog styling series, Pooch Perfect. For Sheridan it will be the first time that she has hosted a prime-time entertainment series, but the subject matter just proved too irresistible.

Sheridan Said: “To combine my love of dogs with a brand-new job presenting for the BBC was a match made in heaven! Everyone who knows me will understand that animals, and especially dogs are very special to me. I live at home with 6 dogs, so presenting a show dedicated to our four-legged best friends didn’t take much consideration! I’m used to being on set with lots of actors… this time I can’t wait to hang out all day with dozens of dogs…for me it is literally the dream job!”

And it seems that the nation agrees because when it comes to the nation’s favourite pet, there’s only one top dog in the UK. 26% of UK adults have a dog* and Brits are finely tuned to the needs of their four-legged furry friends. From winter coats to car seats, doggy daycare to dietary needs, dog owners are prioritising their pet’s care, comfort and wellbeing. As a result, the dog grooming industry is booming, and man’s best friend has never been so well pampered.

Pooch Perfect (8×60’) is produced by Seven Studios UK. The series will feature ten pairs of professional dog stylists from around the country, taking part in a series of themed challenges to create epic transformations of beloved pets, as they compete to be crowned the ‘UK’s Top Dog Stylist’.

Each week, the teams will reveal their creations on ‘The Dogwalk’, where the judges will deliberate over the week’s canine contenders, and their owners are given the chance to see their newly transformed dogs for the first time. From scruffy to fluffy and from ruff to regal, audiences across the country will be barking mad for this brand-new show.

As well as amazing ‘transfurmations’, the show will also be packed full of useful information for dog lovers and owners, delivering top tips on responsible ownership, fun facts about dog breeds and a guide to ‘at home’ pooch pampering techniques.

Alongside breath-taking reveals, celebrity guest judges and the cutest cast of canines, the doggy stars will be in seventh heaven in the show’s specially built ‘Pooch Palace’ designed to cater for their every need. Pooch Perfect is packed with heart and joy, warm and funny for the whole family, leaving viewers begging for more.

Kate Phillips, Controller of BBC Entertainment, said: “I love this show, it celebrates so much creativity culminating in unforgettable transformations, always mindful of the fact one false snip could cost someone the competition!”

Damon Pattison, Creative Director of Seven Studios UK, said: “I cannot imagine anything more fun than being in a studio with Sheridan Smith and a whole load of scruffy dogs. This is going to be the happiest show and as the first original commission for Seven Studios UK, I’m utterly delighted to be bringing it to BBC One.”

The format was created by Seven Studios UK Head of Development, Nikki Pinkus, Creative Director, Damon Pattison and by Sonya Wilkes, Co-Head of Unscripted for Seven Studios Australia. Pattison will Executive Produce the UK series which is also in production for Seven Network in Australia hosted by award-winning Hollywood actress Rebel Wilson.

Commissioned by Kate Phillips, Controller of BBC Entertainment and Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, the series is produced by Seven Studios UK and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Katie Taylor.

Further details will be confirmed in due course.

About Sheridan Smith

Hailed as “The Greatest Theatre Star of her Generation” by The Evening Standard and with over a decade’s worth of experience in the television, film and theatre industry, Sheridan Smith has earned her title as Britain’s most captivating young actress.

Sheridan Smith is recipient of both an Olivier Award and a BAFTA playing some of the most iconic character roles on UK Television and on the West End Stage.

Following a sell-out run in 2019 at the London Palladium, heralding Sheridan’s return to the West End, playing the Narrator in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’. Sheridan is also soon to return to BBC One in Jeff Pope and Neil McKay’s new drama ‘Four Lives’.

Sheridan is also founder of a brand-new production company, ‘Barking Mad Productions’.