News 2008

Sky One today (28th January, 2008) announces SHANE RICHIE as the host of new gameshow sensation DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS.

Richie, soon to be seen in the new series of Skins, will present the 12-part series where contestants attempt to win £250,000 by singing the missing lyrics from 10 songs. We all think we know the lyrics to the world’s most popular songs, but when there’s money at stake will the contestants keep on singing when the music stops? Or will they be at a loss for words?

Shane commented : “I managed to see the show when I was in the US with my family over the summer and was immediately addicted. It’s a fantastic format, so I was really excited to be able to bring the show to a UK audience. I’ve been concentrating on my acting lately and have some fantastic TV dramas lined up. Whilst I've turned other entertainment projects down, this opportunity was too much fun to pass up and I cannot wait to get in front of a live studio audience again.”

Steve Jones, Commissioning Editor, Sky One, Two and Three added: “Shane’s a born entertainer and the ideal presenter for this show – his enthusiasm and passion for music, combined with his rapport with people made him the natural – and only - choice. We’re thrilled to have him on-board and look forward to 12 weeks of top class entertainment to count down to the summer on Sky One.”

The series, already a smash-hit in the US where broadcaster Fox have green-lit a third season of the show, sees contestants climb a cash prize ladder and after each correct answer the singer must decide whether to ‘Stay and Play’ or ‘ Take the Money and Run.’ Along the way, three back-ups can help them out and if they sing nine tracks correctly, one final song and up to fifteen missing words stand in their way to the £250,000 jackpot. It’s that simple … providing you DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS.

Shane Richie first came to public attention on the stand-up circuit winning an award at the inaugural British Comedy Awards. He made his TV debut on the BBC Sketch Show You Gotta Be Jokin’ in 1991 and remained a household favourite presenting Caught In The Act, Win, Lose Or Draw and The Shane Richie Experience. Ritchie is best known for his role as Alfie Moon in EastEnders for which he won a Rose D’Or Festival Award and a National Television Award. He most recently starred in the drama What We Did On Holiday and as the voice of Sid in DreamWorks’ CGI smash hit Flushed Away.

DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS will launch in late March on Sky One.

DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS will be Exec Produced by Steve Jones, Richard Woolfe, Director of Programming, Sky One, Two and Three and Peter Usher, RDF Television’s Head of Entertainment. The series producer is John Ireland.

DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS is an original format from RDF USA and RDF Rights hold all international rights and merchandising rights to the finished programme and format.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Chris Aylott