Will Charles Lighting Ltd

mobile : +44 (0) 7973 509 267

email : will@willcharles.com

Television Credits

I specialise in the field of multicamera television lighting design and directing.

I started my career at BBC Television Centre in London in 1984. During 15 years working in the BBC studios I gained experience on a huge range of productions.

I left the BBC in 1998 to set up my own lighting design company and have since enjoyed working with many excellent production companies, both in the UK and overseas.

My career has taken me from the smallest studios to the biggest venues.

I was lucky enough to work on three Olympic Games / The Golden Jubilee Party At The Palace / The Eurovision Song Contest in Israel / The X Factor in China and The Brits in London , amongst so many other exciting productions.

At the BBC I had the chance to work as a board op on some of the classic sitcoms, in the days when they were shot multi-camera, in front of a studio audience. These included BlackAdder 4 / Absolutely Fabulous Series 1 / One Foot In The Grave and Keeping Up Appearances.

In the genre of Saturday Night Entertainment I worked on Noel's House Party / The Generation Game / The National Lottery Shows / Parkinson / Top Of The Pops and Britain's Got Talent.

In 2009 I won a "Knights Of Illumination" lighting industry award for my design on The Album Chart Show for Channel 4.

It's been my great privilege to be taught by and to work alongside so many of the great Television Lighting Directors, the hardest working skilled crews and now the new generation of very talented programmers.

Whilst undoubtedly our industry has and continues to change, the challenge of making a show look its very best, no matter the venue or the budget, is still my rewarding motivation.

The Proms

BBC

2026 - 11 concerts, including the Bond and Disney Proms - Royal Albert Hall

2025 - 7 concerts

Lighting Director for Lighting Designer David Bishop

The Martin Lewis Money Show Live

MultiStory Media for ITV

2024-2026 - Newcastle, Bristol, London and Nottingham

2026 Weekly Live Shows TC2

Poll Position Pilot - 2026 - Television Centre Studio 2

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Taskmaster

Avalon Television

Series 4, 11, 15-17 and 19-23, plus specials - 2017-2026

Deputising Lighting Director for John Ford

The Chase

ITV Studios for ITV

Series 16-19, Beat the Chasers and ident - 2022-2026

Deputising Lighting Director for Chris Kempton

The Apprentice You're Fired

Boundless for BBC

Multiple series, 2015-2024 - ITV Studios, Elstree and Riverside Studios

Lighting Designer and Series Lighting Director

The Overlap on Tour

Sky

2023 - Wembley Arena

Deputising Lighting Director for Gurdip Mahal

The Coronation Concert: Light Up the Nation

BBC One

2023 - Blackpool

Lighting Designer and Blackpool Lighting Director for overall LD Nigel Catmur

Mock the Week

Angst Productions for BBC Two

Series 14-21 - 2015-2022

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

A League of Their Own

CPL Productions

Series 17 - 2022 - Elstree Studios

Deputising Lighting Director for Chris Rigby

Graham Norton Shows

So Television

Selected music performances and specials - 2019-2022

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director, Deputising Lighting Director and Moving Light Programmer

Lightning

Fizz and RDF Television for BBC Two

Series 1 and 2 - 2020-2021 - BBC Blackstaff Studios

Lighting Designer and Series Lighting Director

Lightning studio set with blue laser lighting

The Big Narstie Show

Expectation Entertainment

2021 - Television Centre Studio 1

Deputising Lighting Director for Gurdip Mahal

Love Triangle

Naked Television

2021 pilot - Pinewood Studio A

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

French and Saunders: Funny Women

Double Yellow Television

2020

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Britain's Got Talent: The Champions and Christmas Spectacular

Thames for ITV

The Champions: 2019 - Wembley Arena

Christmas Spectacular: 2020

Deputising Lighting Director for Dave Davey on both productions

Jeremy Clarkson on TV

Expectation Entertainment

2020

Deputising Lighting Director for Gurdip Mahal

Family Fortunes

Thames for ITV

2020 - Maidstone Studios

Deputising Lighting Director for Roger Williams

Frankie Boyle's 2020 New World Order

Zeppotron

2020 - Pinewood Studios

Deputising Lighting Director for Gurdip Mahal

Britain's Got Talent Judges' Audition Tours

Thames for ITV

2017-2020 - UK theatre tour

Lighting Director in 2017; Lighting Designer and Lighting Director, 2018-2020

Britain's Got More Talent Live Finals

Thames Television and Syco for ITV2

Annual live finals shows, 2014-2019

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Animal Rescue Live: Supervet Specials

Blast Films

2017 Newcastle and 2019 Raystede

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

The Surjury

Gobstopper TV

2019 - dock10, Salford

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Jim Jefferies: This Is Me Now

Netflix

2018 - Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith

Deputising Lighting Director for Chris Kempton

The Old Grey Whistle Test Live: For One Night Only

BBC

2018 - Television Centre Studio 1

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

The Old Grey Whistle Test Live studio performance

Car SOS Live

Renegade Pictures

2018 - British Motor Museum, Gaydon

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

BBC Proms in the Park

BBC

2018 - Glasgow Green

Deputising Lighting Director for Nigel Catmur

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

ITV Creative

2018 promotional shoot - ExCeL London

Lighting Director for series LD Dave Davey

Top Gear and Extra Gear

BBC Studios

2017-2018 - Dunsfold Aerodrome

Moving Light Programmer and Deputising Lighting Director for Gurdip Mahal

Weakest Link Special for Children in Need

BBC

2017 Children in Need special - BBC Elstree Studio 8

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

5 Gold Rings

ITV Studios

Series 2 - 2017 - BBC Elstree Studio D

Deputising Lighting Director for Gurdip Mahal

Soccer AM

Sky Sports

2017 - Sky Studios

Deputising Lighting Director and Moving Light Programmer for Malcolm Reed

The Question Jury

Monkey Kingdom

Series 1 and 2 and US pilot - 2016-2017

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Radio 2 in Concert

BBC Music and BBC Radio 2

Paul Weller, Sam Smith, Seal and A-ha - 2015-2016

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Paul Weller performing for Radio 2 in Concert

Newsnight OB Specials

BBC Two

Nuneaton and Manchester in 2015; EU Referendum Debate and Boston in 2016

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Newsnight OB Specials production in Manchester

Live at the Trattoria

Hungry Bear Media

2016 - Fountain Studios

Moving Light Programmer for Gurdip Mahal

Hair

BBC Television for BBC Two

Series 2 - 2015

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

The Before the Morning After Show

Brown Eyed Boy

2015 - The Biscuit Factory, Edinburgh

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

BAFTA Children's Awards

BAFTA

2015 - Roundhouse, London

Deputising Lighting Director for Roger Williams

TFI Friday

2015

Deputising Lighting Director for Dave Davey

Big Star's Little Star

12 Yard Productions for ITV

Series 3 and 4 and later cover - 2015-2017

Deputising Lighting Director for Gurdip Mahal

A Question of Sport

BBC

Recurring engagements, 2014-2016 - dock10, Salford

Deputising Lighting Director for Roger Williams

Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother

Initial and Endemol

Live shows and finals - 2014-2017 - Elstree Studios

Moving Light Programmer in 2014; Deputising Lighting Director for Gurdip Mahal in 2016-2017

The Totally Senseless Gameshow

Roughcut for BBC Three

2014 - Pinewood TV1

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

The Totally Senseless Gameshow studio set

Free Speech

Mentorn for BBC Three

Series 3 - 2014

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

The Crime Thriller Awards

2014

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Sport Relief Does Glee Club

BBC Scotland for BBC One and CBBC

2014 - BBC Pacific Quay

Lighting Director

Sport Relief Does Glee Club judges' panel

Mary Beard: Oh Do Shut Up Dear

BBC Four

2014 - British Museum

Lighting Director

Mary Beard lecture at the British Museum

Superstar Dogs: Countdown to Crufts

Tuesday's Child for Channel 4

2014 - dock10 HQ1

Generic Board Operator for LD Mark Kenyon

The Million Pound Drop

Channel 4

2014

Moving Light Operator

Danny Baker's Rockin' Decades

BBC Four

2013-2014 - The Hospital Club

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Sing My Song

Star China and Starry Productions for CCTV 3

Series 1 - 2013 - Shanghai and Jiaxing

Lighting Designer and Lighting Consultant

Pokerface China

Fremantle Asia

2013 - Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Lighting Consultant for LD Roger Williams

X Factor China

Fremantle Asia

Series 1 and 2 - 2011-2012 - Beijing

Lighting Consultant

2012 New Year Concert China

Fremantle Asia for Jiangsu TV

2011 - Recces in Shanghai and Nanjing, China

2012 - Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium, China

Lighting Consultant, Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Moving Light Programmer Tom Sutherland

Jiangsu TV New Year Concert at Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium

X Factor Indonesia

Fremantle Asia

2012 - Jakarta, Indonesia

Lighting Consultant

Take Me Out China

Fremantle Asia

2012 - Changsha, Hunan, China

Lighting Consultant

Take Me Out: The Gossip

Thames for ITV2

2012 - Millbank Tower

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Take Me Out: The Gossip at Millbank Tower

The Weakest Link Original Series

BBC Entertainment for BBC One and BBC Two

2000-2012

Original Lighting Design and Lighting Director

Minute to Win It UK

Shine

2011 - BBC Television Centre

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Odd One In

Zeppotron for ITV1

Pilot and Series 1-2 - 2009-2011 - BBC Elstree Studio D

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Ghost Story and Crocodile

Sky Arts Playhouse Live

2010

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Frank Skinner's Opinionated

Avalon for BBC

Show 2 - 2010 - BBC Television Centre

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Frank Skinner's Opinionated studio production

Pocket TV: Pitch Black - Friendly Fires

JA Digital for Sony Ericsson

2009 - Vinopolis

Lighting Director

Friendly Fires performing for Pocket TV: Pitch Black

The Album Chart Show at KOKO

3DD for Channel 4

2006-2009

Original Lighting Design and Lighting Director

Charlie Brooker: You Have Been Watching

Two series - 2009-2010 - Riverside Studios

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

I'd Do Anything

BBC - 2008

Board Operator for LD Mark Kenyon

When Joseph Met Maria

BBC - 2007

Board Operator for LD Mark Kenyon

Any Dream Will Do

BBC - 2007

Board Operator for LD Mark Kenyon

Animal Rescue Live at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

BBC One

2007 - Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

Lighting Director

Animal Rescue Live at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria

BBC - 2006

Board Operator for LD Mark Kenyon

Codex at the British Museum

2006

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Didn't They Do Well

BBC - Shows 5-10 - BBC Television Centre

Board Operator for LD Mark Kenyon

Shock Treatment

Diverse for Sky One

May-July 2004

Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Parkinson

BBC

1998-2004 - BBC Television Centre Studio 6

Console Operator for Lighting Director Mark Kenyon

Director Stuart McDonald - Set Designer Simon Kimmell

Royal Variety Performance

2000

Board Operator for LD Bernie Davis

Comic Relief Does Fame Academy - Series 2 and 3

Series 2 - BBC Three - 2005 - St Olave's School, Lambeth

Presented by Claudia Winkleman

Lighting Director for Series LD Mark Kenyon

Series 3 - Former GLC County Hall

Lighting Director for the BBC Three show

Comic Relief Does Fame Academy studio set

The Bond BAFTA Tribute

BAFTA

2002

BBC Television Centre Studio 1 (TC1)

Board Operator for LD Mark Kenyon

Goodness Gracious Me

2000

Pebble Mill, Birmingham

Moving Light Programmer for LD Chris Kempton

The Eurovision Song Contest — Jerusalem 1999

Lighting Director Mark Kenyon

Board Programmers Will Charles, Nigel Catmur and Andy Dobbs

TV Gaffer Joe Sherno

The Eurovision Song Contest stage in Jerusalem in 1999

Some memorable early credits at the BBC before going freelance in 1998

Top of the Pops

BBC

1993-1996 - Programmer for LDs Dave Davey, Mark Kenyon and Chris Kempton

1997-1998 - Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

Top of the Pops production team and studio set

One Foot in the Grave

1998

Galaxy Operator for LD Chris Kempton

Absolutely Fabulous Series 1

1992

Galaxy Operator for LD Graham Rimmington

Blackadder Goes Forth

1989

Galaxy Operator for LDs Ron Bristow and Henry Barber

Blackadder the Third

1987

Vision Control Racks

Blackadder II

1986

Colour Balance Engineer

Noel's House Party

BBC Entertainment for BBC One

1994-1999

Galaxy Operator for LDs Eric Wallace and Mark Kenyon

National Lottery Stars Shows

1994-2002

Galaxy Operator and Lighting Director

Keeping Up Appearances

BBC - 1995

Galaxy Operator for LD Chris Kempton

The Generation Game

Bruce Forsyth: 1990-1994 - Galaxy Operator for LD Graham Rimmington

Jim Davidson: 1995-1996 - Galaxy Operator for LD Mark Kenyon