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From Molly-Mae to Gemma Collins - filming the real lives behind the headlines

Lauren HirstNorth West
Demi Doyle Demi Doyle and Molly-Mae Hague are hugging on the red carpet as they hold a National Television Award. Demi Doyle
Demi Doyle is the creative director of Navybee which was set up two years ago

When producer Demi Doyle was invited round to the home of Molly-Mae Hague to discuss the possibility of filming a new docuseries, she knew they needed to capture the highs, the lows and the beautifully mundane moments in between.

Demi had recently set up her own TV production company Navybee under the umbrella of the Manchester-based Workerbee Group, which is part of Banijay Entertainment.

This would be the label's first commission.

"I just remember calling her agent Fran, who's amazing, and they were already wanting to do something on the wedding," said Demi, who had previously filmed Molly-Mae for the Netflix series At Home with the Furys.

"So this is when Tommy had proposed and I was like 'I would absolutely love to do it. Can you put me in the mix?'"

Demi Doyle Demi Doyle is sitting on a chair as she interviews Molly-Mae Hague for the TV series. There are two cameramen standing behind Demi, capturing the interview. Demi Doyle
The team at Navybee have created two series of Molly-Mae: Behind It All

Demi, from Ascot, travelled to her home to discuss the idea of letting cameras in, sharing their hopes for the series over a Chinese takeaway.

"If we're going to do it, we need to do it right," said the 33-year-old creative director, who is currently pregnant with her third child.

"We've got to put everything on the line.

"That's what I say to all the talent. You don't want to shy away from anything.

"You want good headlines where they go 'the access there was great' so we're sitting there eating our chow mein and we just decided we're going to go for it."

But, just before filming began, Molly-Mae announced her shock split from the boxer and the series, instead, focused on her new life as a single mother and the launch of her new fashion line Maebe.

Fast forwarded to a year later and Molly-Mae: Behind It All went straight to the top of the Amazon Prime charts and was the winner of a National Television Award.

Demi Doyle Jesy Nelson is sitting on a chair with a film take clap board. Demi is standing behind her. They are both smiling at the camera. Demi Doyle
A six-part docuseries followed Jesy Nelson as she embarked on motherhood

Demi began her career in the industry as a runner at the age of 17 and has since worked on shows including The Secret Life of Four Year Olds, Big Brother, The Apprentice, Sort Your Life Out and Getting Filthy Rich.

Now as creative director of her own label, she has worked with Little Mix star Jesy Nelson and reality TV favourite Gemma Collins.

"I think with Jesy and Gemma, they weren't the shows that we set out to make," said Demi.

"Like with Jesy, a week into filming, she then got rushed into hospital and didn't come out.

"We were going to do this documentary about why she left Little Mix, which we got, but also at the same time now, it was all about her being a first-time mum and dealing with TTTS (twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome - a rare but serious condition when the babies share one placenta).

"So that whole show changed and the same with Gemma really.

"We set out with Four Weddings and a Baby and the whole year just turned into complete chaos and upset and drama.

"You set out to make something, but real life happens."

Demi Doyle Demi, who is wearing a fur coat, is standing next to a cameraman as they interview Gemma Collins, who is also wearing a fur coat, for her TV series. There are snow-covered trees in the background and the floor is covered in snow. Demi Doyle
Gemma Collins: Everything. All At Once follows her journey with fertility, grief and the pressures of life in the public eye

Gemma Collins: Everything. All At Once is currently airing on Sky and NOW while Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix is available to watch on Amazon Prime.

Next up for Navybee is a series with Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch, which is currently in production.

"Everyone's got their own story and I just love that," said Demi.

"Once you've got that trust, you feel like you're making this incredible television where everyone can just sit and watch it and go 'I can relate to that' or there's something in it where someone goes 'that happened to me'.

"I just love that real storytelling."

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