Davina McCall returns with ITV’s This Time New Year. Here she reveals the hard work that goes in to making the series including making sure she looks the same in both segments of the show…
Davina McCall’s feel-good makeover show makes a welcome return next Tuesday, with extraordinary people pledging to change their lives by ‘this time next year’. Fortunately we don’t have to wait twelve months to discover if contributors have achieved their goals, as the programme immediately leaps forward to 12 months later!
Here Davina McCall tells us about the magic behind the new series of This Time Next Year…
Are you excited to be back with a new six-part series of TTNY?
"I love the magic of This Time Next Year. For viewers watching it only looks like a nanosecond until the person returns looking changed, but it’s amazing because it’s a year later."
Is it a challenge to look the same for the "before" and "after" segments of the show?
"It’s quite full on! I grow my hair before filming so it can be cut to any length needed. Michael, the hairdresser, takes loads of pictures and then cuts it to the same length. I also have to get the exact same nail varnish colour. We take pictures of it, write it down and put it in a vault for a year, so we don’t forget! Things like my shoes and the dress have to be sealed – we don’t want moths. Holly Willoughby gets six or seven dresses when she does Dancing on Ice and I only get one – where’s the justice in that?"
In reality, is it an agonising wait for you and the crew?
"It’s actually a very lengthy programme to make. A normal series you can record in a fortnight but this is a year in the making. It’s really exciting for all of us working on it. We love the ‘This Time’ element because you get to hear what people are going to do in the next year. And the ‘Next Year’ bits are so good because we all get to see the results. Even the crew can’t wait to see what happens!"
Do the stories play on your mind between filming "this time" and "next year"?
"It’s interesting which stories really stick with you. Sometimes it’s about the personality of the person and the emotion behind their story. Whether it’s someone seeking love or a weight loss story, the emotion behind it really makes me hope they can do it."
What do you think is the special appeal of this show?
"The thing about the series is it shows all of us what setting goals can do for your life. There’s something about making a public pledge and then achieving it that feels really good. You can see that when people come back a year later and they’ve done it."
Does everyone succeed in their challenge?
"No, they’re not all success stories. I always think it’s brave to come back in front of a studio audience and say that you didn’t manage it."
What do you think makes for successful goal setting?
"It’s really important to set a goal that’s achievable. If you set a goal that’s too big, you’re only going to disappoint yourself or feel bad. Don’t do that to yourself. Start with small goals before getting to the slightly bigger ones. And make it public – tell everybody! Reaching goals can be hard work but that adds to the sense of achievement."
Why do you like presenting programmes like TTNY and Long Lost Family?
"I really like people. Everybody has a story to tell. It feels good to tell a story. Sharing information and stories can help other people not feel alone. I’ve had quite a colourful life myself and I know how that has shaped me. It makes me want to help other people. There was a phase on television where everything was mean. I couldn’t handle it! So now I’m bringing love, happiness and harmony!"
This Time Next Year is on ITV on Tuesday April 10th at 8pm.
