Harriet Kemsley and Rhod Gilbert to Train Dogs for UKTV's 'Wagging Rights'

Key facts

• UKTV ordered 'Wagging Rights', a 6×60' factual entertainment format.
• The show will air on streaming service U and linear channels U&Dave and U&W later this year.
• Celebrities include Rhod Gilbert, Harriet Kemsley, Kae Kurd, Sara Pascoe, and Vicky Pattison.
• Each episode focuses on a core skill: obedience, scent work, agility, freestyle, or ball sports.
• Dog experts Kay Attwood and Nigel Reed will judge the competition.
• Boldprint Studios produces the series; Phil Harris, Georgina Hinds, and Lou Hutchinson are executive producers.
• Mark Iddon, Helen Nightingale, Hilary Rosen, and Gerald Casey commissioned the show for UKTV.

Lede: A New Canine Competition

Five British celebrities will attempt to transform their pet dogs into show dogs in a new six-episode series commissioned by UKTV. Titled 'Wagging Rights', the factual entertainment format is set to debut later this year on the broadcaster's streaming service U, with linear broadcasts on U&Dave and U&W. The series promises a blend of warmth, competition, and spontaneity, driven by the unpredictable behaviour of the canine contestants.

The Celebrity Participants and Their Dogs

Comedians Rhod Gilbert, Harriet Kemsley, Kae Kurd, and Sara Pascoe, along with reality star Vicky Pattison, will each bring their own dogs to compete for the Wagging Rights trophy. Harriet Kemsley, who described her dog Sunny as having 'issues with barking, chewing, basic instructions, co-dependence, licking, anxiety and personal space', expressed excitement about starting a new life as a dog trainer. Rhod Gilbert, aiming to show what a 'poorly trained dog and chaotic human can achieve', joins the competition with a mix of humour and determination.

Format and Judging Panel

Across the six episodes, a team of the UK's top dog show judges will evaluate both the dogs and their owners. Each episode is built around a core skill: obedience, scent work, agility, freestyle, and ball sports, culminating in a grand final. The dog experts on the show are Kay Attwood, an award-winning dog trainer, behaviourist, and author, and Nigel Reed, a dog behaviourist and author. Their assessments will determine which celebrity-dog duo earns the Wagging Rights trophy.

Production Team and Commissioning

Boldprint Studios produces the series, with Phil Harris, Georgina Hinds, and Lou Hutchinson serving as executive producers. Tom Gill is the series producer, Jill Worsley the series director, Hannah Stupple the production executive, and Lindsey Truman the line producer. The show was commissioned by Mark Iddon, senior commissioning editor, with Helen Nightingale, head of factual and factual entertainment, and ordered by Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning, and Gerald Casey, director of programming, unscripted. Phil Harris noted that the studio is 'overrun with office dogs', making a show about them a natural fit.

Quotes from Participants and Executives

Kae Kurd said she wants the country to see how amazing her dog Riot is, hoping to dispel stigmas around big dogs and Rottweilers. Sara Pascoe called her dog Mouse 'the love of my life' and looked forward to making their personal relationship a professional one. Vicky Pattison, who will be joined by her lab Milo, said that as long as Milo has a nice time, that's all that matters. Mark Iddon described the show as 'bold, feel-good' and 'instantly explainable', while Gerald Casey praised the lineup of stars.

Broadcast Details and Outlook

'Wagging Rights' will air simultaneously on linear channels U&Dave and U&W, in addition to streaming on U. The exact premiere date has not been announced, but the series is expected to launch later this year. With a format that combines celebrity appeal, pet antics, and competitive judging, UKTV aims to capture a broad audience looking for light-hearted entertainment. The show's emphasis on the bond between humans and their dogs, as well as the challenges of training, is likely to resonate with pet owners and reality TV fans alike.

The bottom line

• UKTV's 'Wagging Rights' features five celebrities training their dogs for show dog competitions across six episodes.
• The series will be available on streaming service U and linear channels U&Dave and U&W later this year.
• Celebrities include Rhod Gilbert, Harriet Kemsley, Kae Kurd, Sara Pascoe, and Vicky Pattison.
• Judges Kay Attwood and Nigel Reed will evaluate dogs on skills like obedience, agility, and scent work.
• Boldprint Studios produces the show, with a team of executive producers including Phil Harris.
• The show aims to deliver a warm, competitive format that highlights the spontaneity of dogs and the stories of their owners.