Sheridan Smith and BBC One are on the search for the UK’s Top Dog Stylist, in a brand new competitive reality entertainment TV series.

BBC One has announced that multi award-winning actress and multi dog-owning star Sheridan Smith OBE will host its new competitive dog styling series, Pooch Perfect. For Sheridan it will be the first time that she has hosted a prime-time entertainment series, but the subject matter proved just too irresistible.

Sheridan says: "To combine my love of dogs with a brand new job presenting for the BBC was a match made in heaven! Everyone who knows me will understand that animals, and especially dogs are very special to me. I live at home with six dogs, so presenting a show dedicated to our four-legged best friends didn’t take much consideration! I’m used to being on set with lots of actors, this time I can’t wait to hang out all day with dozens of dogs. It is literally my dream job!"

And it seems that the nation agrees, because when it comes to the nation’s favourite pet, there’s only one top dog in the UK. Twenty six percent of UK adults have a dog* and Brits are finely tuned to the needs of their four-legged furry friends. From winter coats to car seats, doggy daycare to dietary needs, dog owners are prioritising their pet’s care, comfort and wellbeing. As a result, the dog-grooming industry is booming, and man’s best friend has never been so well pampered.

Pooch Perfect (8x60’) is produced by Seven Studios UK. The series will feature ten pairs of professional dog stylists from around the country, taking part in a series of themed challenges to create epic transformations of beloved pets, as they compete to be crowned the UK’s Top Dog Stylist.

Each week, the teams will reveal their creations on The Dogwalk, where the judges will deliberate over the week’s canine contenders, and their owners are given the chance to see their newly transformed dogs for the first time. From scruffy to fluffy and from ruff to regal, audiences across the country will be barking mad for this brand new show.

As well as amazing ‘transfurmations’, the show will also be packed full of useful information for dog lovers and owners, delivering top tips on responsible ownership, fun facts about dog breeds and a guide to at-home pooch pampering techniques.

Alongside breathtaking reveals, celebrity guest judges and the cutest cast of canines, the doggy stars will be in seventh heaven in the show’s specially built ‘Pooch Palace’ designed to cater for their every need. Pooch Perfect is packed with heart and joy, warm and funny for the whole family, leaving viewers begging for more.

Kate Phillips, Controller of BBC Entertainment, says: "I love this show, it celebrates so much creativity culminating in unforgettable transformations, always mindful of the fact one false snip could cost someone the competition!"

Damon Pattison, Creative Director of Seven Studios UK, says: "I cannot imagine anything more fun than being in a studio with Sheridan Smith and a whole load of scruffy dogs. This is going to be the happiest show and as the first original commission for Seven Studios UK, I’m utterly delighted to be bringing it to BBC One."

The format was created by Seven Studios UK Head of Development, Nikki Pinkus, Creative Director, Damon Pattison and by Sonya Wilkes, Co-Head of Unscripted for Seven Studios Australia. Pattison will Executive Produce the UK series, which is also in production for Seven Network in Australia, hosted by award-winning Hollywood actress Rebel Wilson.

Commissioned by Kate Phillips, Controller of BBC Entertainment and Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, the series is produced by Seven Studios UK and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Katie Taylor.

Further details will be confirmed in due course.

*PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report 2019

How many pets are there in the UK?

PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) report