Banijay Rights secures "Fat Friends" deal with Britbox

Banijay Rights has signed a deal with BritBox UK for the service, available as part of ITVX Premium, to acquire "Fat Friends."“With incredible writing from Kay Mellor and a cast featuring established actors and soon-to-be stars, Fat Friends was one of those once-in-a- generation shows that simply galvanised the UK nation," Chris Stewart, SVP Sales, UK and Eire Banijay Rights, who negotiated the deal with BritBox UK, said. "A year on from Kay’s untimely death, this deal with BritBox will ensure a whole new generation of viewers get to enjoy her work.”

Following a launch on BritBox Australia, BritBox UK has acquired all four seasons of "Fat Friends" from Banijay Rights, which handles global distribution for the series. The agreement to launch the title on Britboz UK was brokered a year following its writer, Kay Mellor's death at age 71.“We are very much looking forward to bringing this beloved series back to audiences in the UK, and continuing our relationship with the great team at Banijay," Kully Kaur-Bains, ITVX Editorial Manager, said.

Produced by Mellor’s Rollem Productions in association with Tiger Aspect Productions and Yorkshire Television, "Fat Friends" debuted on ITV1 in 2000. The comedy-drama follows the lives of a group of Leeds-based slimming club members and their attempts to lose weight. With a cast featuring Alison Steadman, Gaynor Faye, Ruth Jones, James Corden and Josie Lawrence, the series was nominated for two BAFTA TV Awards: Best Drama Series and Best Actress for Steadman.

"We’re thrilled to be working with Banijay Rights for the first time and have found the right home for the distribution of Fat Friends," Yvonne Francas-Mellor, Managing Director, and Gaynor Mellor, Creative Director at Rollem Productions, said. "It’s wonderful that Kay’s work continues to be enjoyed by audiences across the world, shining a spotlight on Leeds and Yorkshire where Rollem has its home and continues to produce content.”