DOCUMENTARY FILMS
DNA JOURNEY
Produced by Mitre Studios & Voltage TV for ITV.
As well as being the Director & an Executive Producer, Thompy also co-developed the format of this award winning documentary series, which was the brain child of Ant & Dec, where 2 best friends go on a journey to discover their family history.
Originally commissioned as one-off special with Ant & Dec, the 2 x 90 mins episodes received the highest factual launch of the year with 6.2 million viewers, which consolidated at over 12 million. It's immense success led to ITV commissioning a further 15 x 75' episodes, over 5 series.
Series 1 - Ant & Dec
Series 2 - Freddie Flintoff & Jamie Redknapp. Alan Carr & Amanda Holden. Martin & Roman Kemp.
Series 3 - Anne Hegerty & Shaun Wallace. Dame Maureen Lipman & Rula Lenska. Jayne Torvill & Christopher Dean.
Series 4 - Romesh Ranganathan & Rob Beckett. Kate Garraway & Alison Hammond. Joel Dommett & Tom Allen. Alison Steadman & Larry Lamb, Hugh Bonneville & John Bishop. Johnny Vegas & Alex Brooker. Neil Morrisey & Adrian Dunbar. Oti & Motsi Mabuse.
Series 5 - James Nesbitt & Sarah Parish. Julian Clary & Jo Brand. Ricky Tomlinson & Sue Johnston. Fay Ripley & Hermione Norris. John Simm & Philip Glenister. Sam Thompson & Marvin Humes.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR BEAN
Produced by Tiger Aspect for ITV.
Director of this 1x 60’ documentary, featuring an exclusive interview with Rowan Atkinson, alongside original interviews with Tony Robinson, Richard Curtis, and other cast members, celebrating 30 years of Mr Bean. Critics praised the film for its craftsmanship in blending interviews and unseen archive, providing a rare insight into the creative process behind a global comedy phenomenon. To date the documenry has sold into over 100 countries.
JAMES NESBITT: A GAME OF TWO HALVES
Produced by Appeal TV for ITV
Director and Executive Producer of 1x60’ documentary special supporting Soccer Aid for UNICEF. James Nesbitt travels from the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea, to the highest, Mount Everest, exploring how donations help vulnerable children living in extreme and remote locations. The film itself raised over £1.5 million for UNICEF, with critics praising its engaging storytelling, cinematography, and Nesbitt’s authentic, honest, and compassionate delivery, set against an epic global backdrop.
EWAN McGREGOR: COLD CHAIN MISSION
Produced by Iambic for BBC
Directed and Executive Producer. Cold Chain Mission is a landmark 2 x 60’ documentary series recognised as one of the most compelling humanitarian films of its generation. The series follows actor and UNICEF Ambassador Ewan McGregor on a high-stakes, "race against time" mission to deliver life-saving vaccines to some of the world's most remote communities in India, Nepal, and the Republic of Congo. Celebrated with a 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a perfect 5-star rating on Amazon, the series was famously championed by Bill Gates, who considered it not just a film but rather a movement for global health, “through masterful storytelling, the series captures both the gruelling logistical challenge of the cold chain and the profound human impact of smart aid, cementing it as a powerful example of how talent-led documentary filmmaking can have a global purpose".
BRITAIN BY THE BOOK: MEL GIEDROYC & MARTIN CLUNES
Produced by Saltbeef TV for ITV
Director of 1x 60' documentary. Mel takes Martin on a literary journey through his beloved Dorset. Critics awarded it five stars, praising the documentary’s creativity and ingenuity, describing "Mel at her best, as she effortlessly interviews Clunes, offering rare insight into his life, passions, and love of literature", and calling it “a highly entertaining, insightful, and engaging travelogue.”
ROBBIE LYLE: FOOTBALL FANS UNDER THEIR SKIN
Produced by Appeal TV for ITV.
Director and Executive Prodcuer for 1x60 documenatry. A powerful and heartfelt documentary that follows lifelong Arsenal supporter and AFTV founder Robbie Lyle as he confronts the enduring issue of racism in football. Drawing on his own experiences of racial abuse both past and present, Robbie explores how prejudice has shaped supporters’ lives and the culture of the game. Through candid interviews and personal reflection, the film sheds light on the challenges faced by Black and minority ethnic fans in football, making it both a moving social commentary and an urgent call for change.
JJOURNEY TO AFGHANISTAN
Produced by ITV Studios.
Director of this 90-minute documentary, that follows Gary Barlow as he embarks on a life-changing journey to Afghanistan, where he sets out to stage an extraordinary concert using only combat troops. Embedded with British forces at Camp Bastion, the film captures the emotional power of music in a war zone and the resilience, humour and humanity of the soldiers he meets. Blending intimate access with large-scale ambition, the documentary offers a rare and moving insight into life for serving soldiers far from home. The documentary recieved critical acclaim, “A confident and sensitive piece of direction that balances scale with intimacy — a testament to the director’s ability to balance entertainment with human insight. The film’s access, emotional clarity and human warmth reflect a filmmaker skilled at finding authenticity in extraordinary circumstances."
MICHAEL BUBLES' DAY OFF
Produced by ITV Studios for ITV.
Director. A 90-minute documentary special following Michael Bublé at home in Vancouver as he spends time with his family in the lead-up to the release of his new album. Blending intimate access with bespoke, stylishly filmed performances, the film offers a rare glimpse into the private world behind the global star. "Directed with warmth and restraint, the documentary highlights the director’s ability to balance entertainment with genuine emotion, capturing quiet, authentic moments alongside the brilliance of Bublé’s performance."
JAMES BOND’S SPECTRE, with JONATHAN ROSS
Produced by ITV Studios for ITV
Director. A 60-minute documentary in which Jonathan Ross takes a witty, affectionate dive into the world of James Bond. With exclusive access to SPECTRE, the film brings audiences behind the scenes with Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Monica Bellucci, Naomie Harris and Léa Seydoux. "Directed with flair, humour and cinematic energy, the documentary highlights the director’s ability to craft an engaging, personality-led format that celebrates both the spectacle and the storytelling behind one of film’s most enduring icons".
OTHER DOCS...
THE PARENT TRIP. Produced by ITV Studios for ITV2
Showrunner . A 3-part series in which celebrities take their parents on the journey of a lifetime across Africa and Asia. Featuring Will Mellor, Abbey Clancy and Larry Lamb, the series blends emotional discovery, humour and breathtaking adventure as the pairings take on extraordinary challenges — from joining a camel train across the Rajasthan desert to hunting with the Murut tribe in remote Borneo.
OSMONDS - LOVE ME FOR A REASON. Produced by Iambic for PBS.
Director. A feature-length documentary following the Osmond family on what would become their final world tour — an intimate, emotional portrait of fame, family and legacy at the end of an extraordinary era.
ROD STEWART, ONE NIGHT ONLY. Produced by ITV Studios for ITV
Director A 60-minute documentary special chronicling the life and career of Rod Stewart as he prepares for a landmark performance in front of the Queen, featuring appearances and performances from fellow artists celebrating a music icon.
K9 BOOT CAMP. Produced by Granada Bristol for Discovery
Producer & Director. An 8-part documentary series following US Marines and their military dogs as they train, bond and deploy to combat zones — a powerful, high-stakes look at loyalty, discipline and life on the frontline.
CHALLENGE ANNEKA. Produced by ITVS for ITV
Director. 1x90’ documentary. A high-energy factual entertainment special reviving the iconic format as Anneka Rice races against the clock to complete seemingly impossible missions — this time to create a celebrity album raising money for a children’s hospice. Blending urgency, nostalgia and feel-good spectacle, the film showcases large-scale ambition driven by heart and purpose.
NEIL DIAMOND: ONE NIGHT ONLY
Produced by ITV Studios for ITV
Director. A 90-minute factual entertainment special following Rob Brydon as he travels to New York to meet Neil Diamond and explore the legendary songwriter’s home city, uncovering the stories behind an extraordinary career. Blending humour, music and intimate conversation, the film builds towards a landmark performance at the London Palladium. "Directed with warmth, pace and cinematic flair, the documentary highlights the director’s ability to craft engaging, personality-led storytelling that balances entertainment with genuine human connection".
FEARNE AND...
Series 1-2. Produced by ITV Studios for ITV2
Showrunner, Director. A 6x60-minute documentary series in which Fearne Cotton is invited to live with world-famous stars, experiencing their lives firsthand both on and off camera. Featuring Paris Hilton, Craig David, Peaches Geldof, Alesha Dixon and James Blunt, the series blends access, intimacy and humour to reveal the realities behind celebrity personas.