Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Ashleigh Rainbird

Louis Theroux reveals moment he saw 'behind the veil' working for the BBC

Louis Theroux was inspired to make his own shows after seeing BBC executives sipping champagne in business class paid for by his hard work while he flew economy.

His latest show, Louis Theroux Interviews, has featured in-depth chats with A-listers ending this week with Rita Ora – and he promises more of the same as a second series on BBC2 has been confirmed.

It is produced by Mindhouse Productions, which he set up in 2019 after two decades of fronting award-winning documentary series for BBC Studios.

Louis, 52, says: “My wife said, ‘You’ve been there such a long time, have you ever thought about owning some of your own programmes and the ones you’re not in?’

He had a two-decade-long partnership with the BBC (BBC/World of Wonder)
His wife asked if he wanted to own some of his own programmes (Getty Images)

“I remember flying out to location and I saw someone from BBC Studios – they were in business class and I was in economy. I thought, ‘I make the programmes and I fly economy and you sell the programmes, and you’re sipping champagne.’

"I saw behind the veil. Why should someone selling the programmes be living the high life and eating salted peanuts until they get sick? That is my angry socialist rant."

He says his dream interviewees would be Beyonce and Elon Musk. He adds: “I want to interview people who I have a level of interest in and a level of admiration. I want more intriguing celebrities with something to say.”

He noticed the execs living the 'high life' (PA)
His dream guests are Beyonce and Elon Musk (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Get all the biggest showbiz news straight into your inbox. Sign up for the free Mirror Showbiz newsletter.

He says being his own boss has led him to branch out more, adding: “I don’t know if I’d have done the show if I’d stayed working within the BBC.

"When bills need to be paid it makes you think differently. It’s like reinventing the chat show format, and that’s been fun and different for me.”

He hinted he could make a series for Netflix in the future, but for now, he says: “Massive thanks to the BBC for believing in the idea and for supporting us every step of the way.

“Expect more big stars, intimate access and three times Bafta-winning excellence from yours truly.”

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct at 0207 29 33033.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.