Comedians are to become dog trainers in a new series for UKTV.
Harriet Kemsley, Rhod Gilbert, Sara Pascoe, Kae Kurd and reality TV star Vicky Paterson will be taking part in the six-part series, called Wagging Rights.
Gilbert – whose dog Rhosie featured on his podcast Froth – said: ‘I'm joining the Wagging Rights competition to show the world what a poorly trained dog and a chaotic human can't achieve.’
Kemsley is the owner of a hypoallergenic cockapoo named Sonny and has previously spoken about using a dog behaviorist to combat her pet’s anxiety. She said of the new show: 'I am so excited to do this show with my first born and cannot wait to start my new life as dog trainer. Sunny has issues with barking, chewing, basic instructions, co-dependence, licking, anxiety and personal space, wish us luck!'
Pascoe is the owner of a Jack Russell-springer spaniel cross called Mouse, and said he 'is the love of my life and the chance to take him to work every day was too good an opportunity to pass up.'
In a previous interview, she said: ‘Mouse falls instantly in love with everyone he meets on the walk, everyone who knocks on the door, and loses his mind if someone visits more than once. So in a very egalitarian way, I think he admires (and adores) all humanity.’
Kurd says of his pet Rottweiler: 'I just want the country to see how amazing Riot is! I think there’s a massive stigma around big dogs and Rottweilers and I just want everyone to see she’s the most gentle, loving creature and a very good girl.'
Pattison added: 'I'm spending time with my beautiful lab Milo AND I'm making a TV show at the same time, it's fantastic. There's a lot to learn but we'll give it our best - and as long as Milo has a nice time... that's all that matters.'
The experts on the series – which airs on U&Dave and U&W this summer – are award-winning dog trainer Kate Attwood and dog behaviourist Nigel Reed.
Mark Iddon, who commissioned the show of UKTV, said: 'Wagging Rights is exactly the kind of bold, feel-good show we want more of, a big, instantly explainable format that delivers huge laughs without feeling over-produced. Dogs bring the spontaneity, the celebs bring the stories, and together it’s warm, competitive and ridiculously watchable.'
Wagging Rights is being made by Boldprint, the company set up by former Channel 4 head of entertainment Phil Harris which is also making Romesh Ranganathan’s forthcoming Prime Video series Would You Rather: Decide to Survive.
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