By REBECCA DIXON

Last updated 17:35, Thursday, 21 August 2008

BATTLING against the industry norm, Tom Gutteridge is out to prove that Tynedale can be as good a base as any for an international TV producer.

Dating game: Tom Gutteridge, executive producer of Loveland, the new virtual reality dating show on Sky 1.

With his home in Matfen and an office in Newcastle, the executive producer hopes his latest show Loveland will prove that network television can be based out of the North-East.

Tom’s experience in the field of production is extensive, having worked for some of the most successful companies in the industry.

He started out as a BBC journalist who quickly moved to the production side of broadcast.

After almost 10 years producing shows for the BBC, Tom left to set up Mentorn, where his production credits included household shows such as Challenge Anneka, quiz show Today’s the Day and children’s programme Scratchy and Co hosted by the late Mark Speight.

After several years in the industry with different companies, Tom founded Vine Media based in London and LA and today he runs Standing Stone Productions, a subsidiary of Vine Media, from his Newcastle office.

Now the North-East based company has landed a contract with Sky 1 and Fox in the USA for a preliminary 10 episodes of the dating show Loveland.

Tom said: “It’s an incredible achievement for the North-East and I very much hope the show will prove that network television can be done just as easily from here as from London.”

The only hurdle is that the area does not have a filming studio.

The former Tyne Tees studios would have been ideal but now filming has to be done in London.

Tom explained: “The resources here are sadly lacking, but although we have to shoot in London all the pre and post production is done up here, as well as the editing.”

Asked if he would consider investing in a studio development in the North-East, the executive producer said: “If we get enough impetus for Loveland or a different British show then we would look at building a studio up here; I even have a location in my sights.”

The new show is a much publicised virtual reality dating series, hosted by queen of the TV dating game Cilla Black.

The idea is that contestants hide behind their virtual persona – a computer generated image or ‘avatar’. Only when the selection process is complete do the couples actually meet in person.

The show is the brainchild of Tom’s fiancee Jo Pine, a Los Angeles girl who has quickly adapted to the Northern way of life in the UK.

It was Jo and one of Tom’s sons who persuaded the TV producer to make the move back up North.

Although originally from Tynemouth, Tom had always harboured a love of Northumberland and it was not until returning from a trip to Scotland that he thought about living here.

Tom explained: “We were driving along the Military Road when Jo said it was the most beautiful place she had ever seen and my son asked why we were still living in Hampstead when it was so nice in Northumberland.”

Consequently, the family set the wheels in motion to move back to the area, initially renting a property in Matfen.

Now fully settled in the region, they are buying a Northumberland home.

Tom said: “I go to London once a week but it’s very relaxing to come home to these beautiful surroundings and the location is perfect for commuting to Newcastle.”

If Tom and Jo’s Loveland series is a success Tom knows it could have real impact on the region.

He said: “I hope that any success will be a great boost for Northumberland and the whole of the North-East.”