Jonathan Ross and Endemol to develop new TV formats

Between them they have been responsible for two of the most controversial television shows of the last decade. Now Jonathan Ross and former Big Brother producer Endemol UK have joined forces in a bid to come up with the next generation of entertainment hits. Endemol and Ross's production company Hotsauce have signed an exclusive development deal to create and produce entertainment formats for the UK and international market. Ross may present some of the shows as well as co-producing them through Hotsauce, and has already begun developing shows at Endemol's production base in west London. Ross left the BBC in July , just over 18 months after he was suspended without pay for three months for his part in the "Sachsgate" affair. "I am beyond excited to be working with the biggest and best production company in the world," he said of the Endemol deal. The deal, announced today is separate from the ITV chatshow which Ross will begin presenting next year as part of a non-exclusive deal. He is also working on a number of other presenting projects, including a countdown of the nation's favourite toys for Channel 4 . Endemol UK chief executive Tim Hincks said: "We are interested in exploring genuinely new relationships with talent. Why not work with someone of Jonathan's experience and creativity to get some blockbuster ideas off the ground?" Hincks added: "Jonathan is not merely the UK's most famous and successful talkshow host, he is also brimming with TV ideas and I'm delighted we're going to be working together to create new hits." Hotsauce produced Ross's BBC1 chatshow, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross which came to an end this year, and Channel 4's Big Fat Quiz of the Year, featuring Ross. Endemol UK, which produced Big Brother for 11 years until it came to an end this year , has an entertainment slate that includes The Million Pound Drop Live, Deal or No Deal and 8 Out of 10 Cats, all for Channel 4, BBC1's Would I Lie To You? and Total Wipeout, and Charlie Brooker's Newswipe for BBC2 and BBC4. Endemol will also globally distribute programmes and formats that are developed as part of the Ross deal. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".