Quick Read
- Harriet Kemsley will compete in a new six-part celebrity dog training show titled Wagging Rights.
- The series features skill-based challenges including agility and scent work, judged by professional trainers.
- The show marks host Rhod Gilbert’s return to series television following his recovery from cancer.
Comedian Harriet Kemsley has been confirmed as a primary participant in the upcoming television series Wagging Rights, a competitive dog-training show that marks the first major series return for host Rhod Gilbert since his recovery from cancer. The six-part series, which is set to stream on the platform U and air on the channels U&Dave and U&W later this year, pairs celebrities with their own dogs to compete in a structured series of skill-based challenges.
The competitive format of Wagging Rights
Unlike casual celebrity hangout programs, Wagging Rights is designed as a week-to-week competition, with each episode focusing on a specific canine skill. Participants, including Kemsley, Kae Kurd, Sara Pascoe, and Vicky Pattison, will face evaluation by professional dog trainer Kay Attwood and behaviorist Nigel Reed. The core challenges will test obedience, scent work, agility, freestyle, and ball sports, culminating in a grand final to crown a winner.
For Kemsley, the project offers a humorous look at the challenges of pet ownership. Commenting on her involvement, she stated that she is excited to participate alongside her dog, Sunny, acknowledging that her pet struggles with various behavioral issues including barking, anxiety, and personal space, which she hopes to address through the training process.
A return to series work for Rhod Gilbert
The series represents a significant career milestone for Rhod Gilbert, who is returning to consistent series work following a two-year hiatus defined by his diagnosis and treatment for head and neck cancer. After completing a 180-date tour that raised over £300,000 for the Velindre Cancer Centre, Gilbert opted for the structured, short-form format of Wagging Rights rather than an immediate return to large-scale stand-up tours. Producers have emphasized that the show is intended to be a feel-good, instantly accessible format that relies on the spontaneity of the dogs and the personal narratives of the celebrity participants.
The strategic shift toward structured, competition-based formats like Wagging Rights signals a broader trend in UK television, where networks are increasingly betting on high-engagement, skill-based celebrity challenges to maintain audience retention in a crowded streaming landscape.