BBC Studios’ creative director of formats on Boyzone, military life and Vince Vaughn

Earliest memory

AdobeStock_404891365

Kuala Lumpur, 1975. On holiday with my Malaysian Tamil mum, Brummie army dad and three siblings. I ripped my favourite red skirt on a slide at my grandfather’s local haunt. Complete devastation.

Growing up I…

Used to dread the Boney M classic Brown Girl In The Ring coming on at the primary school disco. As the only person of colour in the room, it was incredibly isolating.

Big break

Boyzone In Brazil

A researcher on The Noise Special – Boyzone In Brazil, courtesy of Andi Peters. I got to visit Sao Paolo and Rio and found a clip of the band’s very first appearance on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show. They very kindly let us share that memorable moment with the great British public. If you’ve never seen it, Google immediately.

I shout at the telly…

Because of Lost. Six series, 121 episodes and I still couldn’t tell you what happened. I just wasted another five minutes reading the finale synopsis on Wikipedia to see if I could remember what happened. Am still none the wiser.

Sporting hero

Paul Scholes. Dedicated. Loyal. Low key. Northern. Plus, he scores goals.

Moment of clarity

“If I stay at ITV for another year, how many more episodes of You’ve Been Framed, Countdown and University Challenge will I have made?” I absolutely loved it there, but it was time to move on.

AdobeStock_319376065

Most annoying habit

Being bossy and not knowing when to put the karaoke (or tequila) down.

Born and bred

I was born on a military base in Munster, Germany, and spent my first six years being moved around various army camps before finally settling in Sandbach, Chesire. I love the north and there’s nothing like seeing the majesty of Jodrell Bank to remind me I’m in my happy place.

AdobeStock_47995446

Jodrell Bank

My mentor

I learned so much from Andi Peters at ITV and BBC, and equally from Claudia Lloyd at Tiger Aspect.

Sumi Connock

Sumi Connock

Worst injury

My pride – when I slipped in the bath on the morning of the 2006 MTV Europe Awards. I was Justin Timberlake’s live producer and while he was busy ‘bringing sexy back’, I spent the day explaining why I was sporting a hideous black eye.

Celebrity crush

Vince Vaughn. If he’d crashed my wedding to my husband Alex, there could have been major issues.

  • Sumi Connock is the creative director of formats, BBC Studios

Topics