ITV’s Shiver inks deal with journalist behind Savile exposé

Shiver, the factual division of ITV Studios, has won several UK commissions and is making several more investigative docs with the criminologist behind its influential Jimmy Savile exposé.

Shiver has inked a deal with criminologist Mark Williams-Thomas, who will work on a series of undercover investigations that will broadcast on ITV from later this year. Williams-Thomas was instrumental in the award-winning Shiver documentary, Exposure: The Other Side of Jimmy Savile, which revealed some of the crimes committed by the disgraced British celebrity.

In March Shiver recruited ITV Current affairs exec Mike Blair, who also worked on the Savile doc, as an exec producer.

Alexander Gardiner, director, Shiver, said: “We’re delighted to be extending our relationship with Mark; he is one of the most respected experts in his field and his vast experience in a wide range of high profile investigations was the driving force behind our Jimmy Savile Exposure.”

Meanwhile, Shiver also said it will make a 30x60mins daytime show, Peter Andre’s 60 Minute Makeover. ITV said the show, which was commissioned by Katy Thorogood, will be refreshed version of the existing 60 Minute Makeover format, with pop singer and celebrity Peter Andre as host.

Also for ITV is The Nation’s Favourite Elvis Song. The 90-minute special is the latest in Shiver’s The Nation’s Favourite… strand and will air on ITV later in 2013.

Commsioned by Diana Howie, commissioning editor, factual, it will tell the story of the 20 greatest songs ever recorded by the King of Rock ’n’ Roll and feature interviews with Priscilla Presley and various artists that worked with the star.

ITV Studios Global Entertainment sells the 60 Minute Makeover format. The distributors of the other two projects have not been confirmed.