WHILE working as a producer on telly entertainment shows, someone asked Karen Smith if she thought reviving the age-old ballroom competition programme Come Dancing and doing it with celebrities would be a good idea.

“Yes, I said, very vigorously – absolutely yes,” she laughs. “I remember thinking, if we get this right, it could be huge – a proper Saturday night TV show that could really be loved by everyone from eight to 80.”

That show, of course, is Strictly Come Dancing, a huge BBC One hit with consistently high viewing figures and a loyal fan following around the world. (The format, under its American title Dancing with the Stars, has been sold to more than 50 countries.)

Karen, who runs Glasgow and London-based production company Tuesday’s Child, co-devised the show and was launch Executive Producer. She went on to lead the first five series, ultimately becoming creative director of BBC Entertainment, overseeing all format and factual entertainment shows.

“There were reality entertainment shows on the go, like Pop Idol and Popstars, but Strictly just seemed to give Saturday nights a whole new energy,” says Karen. “And what a phenomenon it has become.”

After a spell as director of programmes and then joint managing director at Shine TV, which grew to become one of the UK’s biggest indie production companies with hits such as Masterchef, and Got to Dance under its belt, Karen set up Tuesday’s Child in 2012.

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Its successful productions include fun team competition show Legomasters; Head Hunters, the quiz hosted by comedian Rob Beckett; and The Hit List, which sees music-lovers compete for the chance to win £10,000 by naming as many song titles and artists as possible.

Filmed in Glasgow, the new series is currently running on Saturday evenings, hosted by husband-and-wife team Marvin and Rochelle Humes.

“It’s a great show and Marvin and Rochelle are brilliant presenters – they are exactly the same in real life as they are on screen, just very natural and relaxed together,” says Karen.

There is something peculiarly special about Saturday night telly, she agrees.

“Light doesn’t mean slight,” she explains. “You want to give Saturday night the absolute best that you can.

“The beauty of an entertainment show like Strictly is that it speaks a universal language – there is no barrier to access, as children, parents and grandparents can sit down and watch it and experience that heart and warmth and humour. That’s what ‘light’ entertainment can do, that the big Netflix dramas cannot.”

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Filming the show in Glasgow has given The Hit List an extra ‘whoosh’, laughs Karen.

“You never quite see energy from an audience like you have in Glasgow,” she smiles. “Everyone is so appreciative. I wanted to have a Glasgow base for Tuesday’s Child because of the great facilities up here.”

Karen’s first job was at BBC Radio York - “the best training in the world, as I worked on everything from gardening to God” - and a move to Granada TV’s This Morning proved a landmark moment for her career.

She grins: “Within three weeks, I had done the first live Viagra trial on television.”

Dubbed the “tawdriest two hours of daytime television ever” by the Daily Mail – the production team had that headline emblazoned on t-shirts as a result – it led to a quick promotion to editor for Karen.

“It was absolutely everywhere – the world’s media picked up on it,” she recalls. “My dad phoned me up and said, ‘oh, our Karen, do I need to come and get you?’”

She laughs: “I tried to explain to him what had happened was a good thing. But he was just worried I’d got myself sacked and would have to head back up north…”

The Hit List is on BBC ONE on Saturdays at 6.20pm.