Composed in honor of Ayrshire native Derek McLean, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Bandicoot TV, along with his partner Edward Dennehy, this profile highlights the remarkable journey of an Emmy award-winning US/UK Senior TV Executive who has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
Derek’s academic foundation was laid at Glasgow University, where he pursued a degree in Law from 1992 to 1995. This early education set the stage for a career that would bridge continents and redefine television excellence.
As a Co-founder of Bandicoot and Executive Producer of the hit international sensation “The Masked Singer” on ITV, Derek demonstrated his creative prowess and leadership. His prior role as Executive Vice President and Head of Non Scripted at Lime Pictures, All3Media’s most profitable Operating Company, showcased his ability to navigate the complex world of non-scripted television on both sides of the Atlantic.
Before his Bandicoot and Lime Pictures chapters, Derek served as the Creative Director of BBC Entertainment in 2010, where he contributed to several Primetime successes, including “John Bishop’s Britain” on BBC One and the uproarious reality series “Tool Academy” on E4. His portfolio extends to some of television’s most iconic shows, such as “Big Brother” (Channel 4), “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!” (ITV1), “Strictly!” (BBC1), “8 Out Of 10 Cats” (Channel 4), and “The Match” (Sky One), all bearing his imprint as an executive producer.
Derek’s innovative spirit shines through in his role as the creator and Executive Producer of Bravo’s Emmy-winning series “The Singles Project” and “Workout NY,” as well as the upcoming Bravo show “Relative Success.” In the UK, he oversaw the reality hits “The Only Way Is Essex” and “Geordie Shore” for MTV while expanding Lime’s UK programming slate across diverse networks.
Beyond his television accolades, Derek is a proud member of the McLean football dynasty, hailing from a family deeply rooted in the sport. His remarkable journey from Ayr to London, transitioning from a law scholarship tied to Death Row to a thriving career in television, reflects his adaptability and resilience.
On May 7, 2022, Derek and Edward celebrated their union, and the Borland Ceilidh Band had the honour of providing the ceilidh to their joyous wedding celebration. This partnership marked another milestone in Derek’s life dedicated to excellence and innovation, demonstrating that with dedication and passion, one can achieve greatness against all odds. Derek McLean truly embodies the spirit of Ayrshire.
A guide track for ‘Derek McLean and Edward Dennehy’ is available below for listening: -
The track is additionally available within the following collections and sets: -
Associated Collections: -
9/8
Ayrshire Characters
Bagpipe
The Tarbolton Collection
