UKTV orders Davina McCall talkshow

UK digital channel operator UKTV has ordered a new talkshow fronted by British TV personality Davina McCall and made by First Dates prodco Twenty Twenty.

For Warner Bros.-backed Twenty Twenty the commission marks a move into the talkshow genre.

The as-yet-untitled studio talkshow will run to 8x60mins and be filmed this summer. It will go out on UKTV’s W channel.

McCall has fronted numerous shows in the UK including Big Brother and, currently, The Jump.

She is also one of the rotating selection of hosts on The Nightly Show, ITV’s new attempt at a nightly talkshow, which has struggled for viewers.

She also had a BBC talkshow back in 2006 that ran to one season.

Twenty Twenty said it will “bring a fresh twist” to the talkshow genre, and the new project will see McCall front an hour-long discussion about different real-life issues and dilemmas each week.

“I am so so excited to be finally bring this show to life, it’s something I feel so so passionately about and have been working on for ages,” McCall said. “I am totally thrilled to be working with W and Twenty Twenty to make it happen.”

The series was ordered by W general manager Steve North. “Since its launch last year, W has fast become the place where fantastic talent can try something new and see their ideas brought to life on the screen,” he said.

“Davina joins a growing list of high profile talent working with us, including John Bishop, Amanda Holden and Dr. Christian Jessen.”