Zeppotron strikes development pact with Earl & Wilkinson’s Big Oval Plate

Joe Wilkinson

Banijay’s UK prodco Zeppotron has struck an exclusive development deal with David Earl and Joe Wilkinson’s label Big Oval Plate.

The pact will see the Rovers creators working with Zeppotron to develop new unscripted TV formats across genres such as travelogues, factual entertainment and reality.

Wilkinson has a long-standing relationship with Zeppotron, having first appeared on its 8 Out Of 10 Cats show in 2011 and been a key cast member on 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown since its inception.

Ruth Phillips, co-MD of Zeppotron, said: “As well as being brilliant comedic performers and writers, Joe and David are also blessed with wonderfully inventive minds and an astute knack for coming up with unusual, funny ideas that nevertheless have a big, mainstream sensibility.

“We’ve loved working with (and laughing with) Joe for many years on 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown and can’t wait to now join forces with both him and David to make great programmes together.”

Earl and Wilkinson have worked together for more than a decade having created and starred in Sky One’s Rovers, The Cockfields for Gold and BBC Two, and Ricky Gervais’ After Life S3 for Netflix.

The duo launched Big Oval Plate in 2020, through which they produce and host podcast series Chatabix.