UK TV star Lydia Bright and family launch industry’s first ever structured reality podcast
TV personality and fashion designer Lydia Bright is to launch a new weekly podcast alongside her family, which is set to become the world’s first ever structured reality show podcast. Starring Lydia alongside mum Debbie, dad Dave, younger brother Freddie, and sisters Romana (14) and Georgia (27), The Brights will chart the highs and lows of the family on a weekly basis. Lydia shot to fame on hit show The Only Way is Essex and has since appeared on many other shows including The Jump and Bear Grylls’ Celebrity Island.
The show is produced by award-winning The Only Way Is Essex and Made In Chelsea Executive Producer Sarah Dillistone, with renowned content agency, Somethin’ Else and Insanity Group, and will be hosted by Acast. Steve Ackerman, managing director of Somethin’ Else said: “We’re hugely excited to be creating not only a new podcast from one of the UK’s most recognisable TV stars, but a completely new genre of audio show too. Lydia and the family are people who we think the audience will love. Given Sarah Dillistone’s phenomenal success in the reality TV world, there is no one better placed to be working alongside us to bring it to life.”
The first season will be 12 episodes and charts the highs and lows of all the family as they navigate love lives, work, sibling arguments and everything else that comes with being a close and chaotic family. Each programme is narrated by Lydia as she introduces us to the dramas and conversations that have been happening in the family.
Lydia Bright said “All the Bright family and I are really excited to be opening our doors to the podcast world. We’re crazy, chaotic, noisy and lots of fun and I think listeners will enjoy sharing our ups and downs. I can’t wait to see what people think.”
The Brights’ manager, Courtneay Yeates said: “My job is to create innovative opportunities for our clients, and it was a passion of mine to get this series off the ground and to be the first to do it. Podcasting as a platform is growing rapidly, and to launch a new genre is ground-breaking and exciting. Somethin’ Else got it straight away and were able to provide us with an excellent team.”
Andy Varley, founder and CEO of Insanity Group said: “We are delighted to be in partnership with Somethin’ Else on the production of this fantastic podcast. Following the global success of our clients’ other podcasts such as My Dad Wrote A Porno, When Life Gives You Melons and Made By Mammas we are excited to be entering the structured reality space with Lydia, Debbie and the rest of the Bright family!”
The Brights will be hosted and monetised by Acast. Global head of content for Acast Susie Warhurst said: “We’re so excited to see the launch of this truly innovative format which is pushing the boundaries of the podcasting medium, and will undoubtedly appeal to the young, diverse podcast audience as well as sponsors and advertisers.”
The podcast is to be released weekly on Acast, Apple Podcasts and all good podcast providers from 18 October. It is the latest release from Somethin’ Else’s new podcast division, Sound Directions.
