BBC Studios has announced two new comedy Contract Writers, Cameron Loxdale and Jade Gebbie to work across comedy productions for BBC Studios Audio, including the flagship Radio 4 topical shows The Now Show, The News Quiz and Dead Ringers.
The roles offer two up-and-coming writers the chance of a year-long contract to write across a variety of audio comedy shows, produced by BBC Studios Audio. Cameron and Jade will work across sketch shows, panel games and podcasts, alongside topical series, as well as pitching ideas for their own series.
The role of contract writer has its origins in the Radio Comedy Writer Bursary, which since 1978, has seen an impressive list of alumni that includes Guy Jenkin (Outnumbered), Rob Grant and Doug Naylor (Red Dwarf) and Simon Blackwell and Georgia Pritchett (The Thick of It, Veep). More recent recipients include Danielle Ward (Harry Hill's TV Burp, In the Long Run), Laura Major (Famalam and Joe Lycett Gets His Own Back) and Andy Wolton, writer of BBC Studios produced comedy Trying for Apple TV.
Cameron and Jade take over the mantle of the role from previous Contract Writers, Tasha Dhanraj and Rajiv Karia who have worked extensively across the portfolio and will continue working with the audio and TV team at Studios.
Josh Cole, Head of Comedy, BBC Studios Comedy Productions said: “With alumni including the likes of Georgia Pritchett, Simon Blackwell and Andy Wolton, there is a fantastic heritage to this role, and we’re so pleased to be welcoming a new generation with the talented Jade & Cameron.”
Originally from Swansea, Cameron is a previous member of the BBC Writersroom’s Welsh Voices group. For audio, Cameron has credits on The News Quiz, The Skewer, Breaking the News, Newsjack, Extinction Compendium and What Just Happened?.
Cameron said: “I’m incredibly excited to get to do this quite frankly ridiculously fantastic job and to work alongside the brilliant Jade. I feel so lucky to be selected, especially considering all the amazing people who have done it in the past. I can’t wait to learn and improve and be silly for a year.”
Jade is a writer and stand-up who was a Semi-Finalist in the Komedia New Act Competition, 2020. She is currently completing a Masters online in Comedy Writing at Falmouth University. Jade has written material for Newsjack, Breaking the News, and her material has been featured on BBC Upload.
Jade said: "I'm extremely excited to have been selected to be a contract writer at BBC Studios. As a comic with a strong passion for radio, I'm thrilled this will be my job for the next year. I can't wait to learn as much as possible, hone my craft, and work alongside Cameron. After working from home since March 2020, I'm also looking forward to some much-needed human interaction!"
BBC Studios Audio also announced today two new producers: Rajiv Karia and Georgia Keating.
Rajiv Karia is a writer and producer who recently graduated from the BBC Contract Writer position. Before joining the BBC he worked in comedy production at Hotsauce TV, Zeppotron and King Bert Productions.
Georgia has worked as a freelance assistant producer and researcher on various comedy entertainment shows including The Jonathan Ross Show, Celebrity Rebrand, HIGNFY, Hypothetical and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order.
Julia McKenzie, Creative Director of BBC Studios Audio added: “I’m thrilled Rajiv has made the transition to becoming a producer in the team. His skills in this area became evident really quickly and he has already secured his first commission. I know Georgia can’t wait to get started and she’s producing her first show in the next few weeks, which is really exciting. I’m looking forward to working with them both.”
All roles are now in post.
