[Omah]

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/...creator-a-Sir-

THE TV visionary behind the ground-breaking reality show Big Brother has been honoured with a knighthood.

Peter Bazalgette – known throughout the industry as “Baz” – said it was a “delightful compliment”.

The 58-year-old receives his New Year’s Honour for services to broadcasting. He began his TV career as a BBC news trainee after graduating from Cambridge.

He worked in current affairs and also as a researcher for Esther Rantzen’s series That’s Life.

When he moved into producing, he claimed to have created the concept of the celebrity chef and was the brains behind a stream of reality shows including Ready Steady Cook, Ground Force, Changing Rooms, Deal Or No Deal and Fame Academy.

His association with Big Brother began when his production company, Bazal, was bought up by the Dutch TV giant Endemol in 1990.

In 2000 Sir Peter oversaw the UK launch of the show, which, 11 years later, is still going strong. A new series of Celebrity Big Brother begins on Thursday on Channel 5.

What would his great-great-grandather have thought about his great-great-grandson getting a knighthood for something less than constructive or worthwhile ?