Controversial columnist Katie Hopkins has been given her own talkshow on the Discovery-owned TLC channel called If Katie Hopkins Ruled the World.
Hopkins, recently denounced by a United Nations human rights chief for describing migrants as “cockroaches” in her Sun column, will be joined by celebrity guests to debate a new “rule for everyday life” which will then be voted on by a studio audience.
The topics to be debated will be “real issues being debated across Britain”, according to the channel, “from weight, class, money and benefits to family, sex, relationships and education”. It does not mention migration.
Hopkins said: “People often tell me that I say the things they think but don’t have the courage to say.
“In this new show I’ll be the little voice inside their heads! Join me, and let’s see what would happen if Katie Hopkins ruled the world. It could get messy.”
Hopkins, a former contestant on BBC1’s The Apprentice, provoked outrage in a Sun column in April this year when she said gunships should be used to stop migrants crossing the Mediterranean.
It was published hours before the weekend capsizing of a fishing vessel packed with migrants, with Hopkins later challenged over the article when she appeared on Global Radio-owned talk station, LBC.
The column was also criticised by the UN high commissioner for human rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein as “clearly inflammatory and unacceptable”.
Clare Laycock, head of TLC in UK and Ireland, said: “The show is a unique forum to thrash out the issues being ranted about in pubs, on Twitter and in living rooms across Britain.
“Views will be questioned, rules will be disputed and opinions will be opposed in what promises to be an exhilarating watch – perfect for TLC.”
TLC is a female-skewed channel based on the US network of the same name which launched in the UK in 2013. The seven-part series will begin in August.
Each episode of the show will be presided over by a “guest moderator” and feature celebrities, comedians and “high profile experts” to debate the issue.
A studio vote will decide whether the rule – in Katie Hopkins’ world at least – is adopted or thrown out.
The format was devised by Big Minded, the originators of ITV2’s Celebrity Juice, and Mentorn Media, makes of BBC1’s Question Time.
Other shows on the TLC channel in the UK include Long Island Medium, Love Lust or Run and reality show Return to Amish.
Sarah Thornton, vice-president of production and development, factual entertainment, at TLC who said: “Love her or loathe her, everyone has an opinion on Katie Hopkins.
“Her points of view get us all talking. I’m looking forward to working with Katie, Big Minded and Mentorn Media on what will no doubt be a bold and lively debate where Katie’s claims can finally be challenged in a comedic, cheeky and brilliantly fun format.”
