Dean Jones, the director of production for shows including , has died aged 56.
Jones, who was the director of production for Fremantle UK, died after being diagnosed with cancer.
The CEO of the company, Amelia Brown, paid tribute to her late colleague, describing him as a ‘master’ of the industry.
‘Dean Jones was someone that everyone in our industry should aspire to be like. He was a master of our industry as well as a mentor, a supporter and a huge part of all our lives at Fremantle,’ she said.
‘He was effortless in what he did and achieved more in his day to day than anyone else I know in TV. He was the most intelligent and funny man, and he was the backbone to the shows that shaped our cultural landscape in entertainment.
‘He was loved by us all and leaves a hole that is impossible to fill as well as a legacy where we will all try and be just a little bit ‘more Dean’. He will be hugely missed by us all every day.’
Jones was said to have died earlier this summer, reported.
TV producer Richard Holloway, who knew Jones for 30 years, honoured him by saying: ‘Dean’s financial, legal, organisational and production knowledge was without equal, and I can pay no better compliment to him than he was the best chief operating officer we never had.
‘To be taken so young is just not fair; he will be a sad loss to the TV fraternity, his close friends, family and, of course, his lifelong partner Graham.’
Jones was credited as working as the director of production on programmes including BGT, I Can See Your Voice, Eating With My Ex, Blankety Blank, The Greatest Dancer and Take Me Out.
He recently also worked on Netflix’s dating series Too Hot To Handle.
Denise Kelly, the welfare producer at Thames, a TV production company overseen by Fremantle which produces shows such as Britain’s Got Talent, also paid tribute to Jones.
Having known him for three decades, she described him as ‘the most intelligent person I will ever know’.
‘No “crisis” at work ever fazed Dean. He would tackle even the trickiest problems head on and with complete composure,’ she said.
‘I never saw him shout or lose his temper. He didn’t need to. His intellect and logic were so superior that he could win an argument with anyone hands down.’
She added: ‘I feel very privileged to have known and loved him for so many years and I will miss him forever.’
