Died January 7, 2012.

Richard Hopkins, a TV executive who developed, pitched and produced Strictly Come Dancing, has died from cancer at the age of 47. Mr Hopkins also helped to sell Strictly to the US and was executive producer on season one of Dancing With The Stars. His other credits included series producer for the first Big Brother. Mr Hopkins worked on Strictly while he was creative head of format entertainment at the BBC, a role he held between 2003-2006. The format was eventually sold to more than 35 different countries.

During his time in the role, he oversaw and worked as an executive producer on shows including Mastermind, The Weakest Link and A Question of Sport. He also worked as an executive producer on shows including the BBC's Fame Academy and Sky One's Fear Factor and was series producer of Channel 4's The 11 O'Clock Show which helped to launch the careers of Ricky Gervais and Sacha Baron Cohen.

At Fever Media, set up in 2006, he was executive producer on shows including The People's Quiz on BBC One, and BBC Three's Move Like Michael Jackson.

Mr Hopkins is survived by his wife Katy and his three daughters.