BRIAN GITT ON MAKING 'SUIT-TWAT'

TELEVISUAL BANTER

How We Made 'SUIT-TWAT' by Brian Gitt [Business Guru.]

"I got a call in 2009 asking if i'd do a new business themed reality show. I told them to get stuffed because I thought it was the Inland Revenue and my business was tanking at the time. But when they phoned back offering me lots of publicity and money I re-considered. They said they'd get me a couple of co-stars and would make sure they never pulled focus. It was a chance to get across my business acumen, which I assured them was 'top-level' and wear a suit on TV.

It’s pure theatre, me being wheeled into the boardroom on a gold toilet. I've got to get in the room somehow and I don't see why I should pull my trousers and pants up. I insist people use it as an opportunity for silent meditation while I finish my business and flush it. It was my idea to scan the contestants and fire one person immediately on sight. These shows are driven by jeopardy and its a good way to assert my authority from the get go. One of the things I’ve had to adapt to is having my character misrepresented. In real life I’m compassionate and sensitive but that doesn’t make good telly, so the producers pick the moments where I’m banging a candidate's head on the table or screaming in their face until they cry. Thinking about it rationally, I suppose if I just treated everyone with respect at all times they wouldn't have any such footage.

It's impossible to create a reputable product in 24 hours and to then have the sheer front to try and flog it to established brands who know tat when they see it, but that's business. It's a con job. I know the show has its critics but at least three previous winners are now millionaires and I own a gold watch with 'Gitt' engraved on it."