The US president-elect has chosen a Dagenham-raised mogul for a new role
Donald Trump's new choice of special envoy to the UK is making a return of sorts to his roots - having grown up in east London before fighting for Britain in the Falklands.
TV producer Mark Burnett is the son of parents who both worked in motor firm Ford's factory in Dagenham, before he signed up as a paratrooper serving not only in the 1982 conflict against Argentina but also in Northern Ireland.
Yet it was after a move to California that Mr Burnett really made his name and fortune as the pioneer behind such hit shows as Survivor and The Apprentice.
And his hiring of Donald Trump as the power-brandishing frontman of that latter series is said to have helped propel the tycoon towards the US presidency.
Mr Burnett, 64, has described himself as 'Robin' to the US president-elect's 'Batman' - and also called Mr Trump his 'soulmate' after 14 The Apprentice seasons together, in what he called 'one of the greatest relationships of my life'.
And Mr Trump, who defeated Democrat candidate Kamala Harris in the November election and is preparing for his second term in the White House after four years away, has returned the praise for Mr Burnett in his new announcement this weekend.
Mr Trump posted on social media platform Truth Social, saying: 'It is my great honour to appoint Mark Burnett as the Special Envoy to the United Kingdom.'
'With a distinguished career in television production and business, Mark brings a unique blend of diplomatic acumen and international recognition to this important role.'
'Mark is known for creating and producing some of the biggest shows in Television History, including Survivor, Shark Tank, The Voice and, most notably, The Apprentice.'
'He is the former Chairman of MGM, and has won 13 Emmy Awards.'
'Mark will work to enhance diplomatic relations, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges.'
It was Mr Burnett doing the hiring, however, when he opted for Mr Trump to star in The Apprentice when first launching the show on NBC in 2004.
Media analysts have suggested that the New York-based tycoon benefitted from an enhanced profile and reputation from the series, in which he sat in judgment over wannabe entrepreneurs despite recent business struggles of his own.
Mr Burnett's own rise had long since shown a can-do spirit of his own, including working as a nanny and T-shirt seller when first arriving in the US from the UK.
His parents Archie and Jean Burnett both worked at the Ford factory in Dagenham, which at its 1950s height employed as many as 40,000 people.
He himself signed up for the Army as a 17-year-old, serving as a corporal in C Company of the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment and taking part in British forces' advance on Falklands capital Port Stanley in 1982.
After the end of that year's conflict, he emigrated to the US - setting up home in California, where he worked as a nanny for families then traded T-shirts which he would buy for $2 and sell for $18 apiece beside a fence in Venice Beach.
His TV producing career took off after he was inspired by taking part in a French-based expedition adventure race called Paid Gauloises in 1993, then securing a licence to launch a US version called Eco-Challenge two years later.
This was televised and led to him developing the reality TV show Survivor, inspired by one of his favourite books - William Golding's Lord Of The Flies.
Survivor was a massive US hit, with contestants left to fend for themselves and against each other in an isolated location.
Three-times married Mr Burnett, a father of two, launched The Apprentice in 2004, with the winning candidate promised a one-year contract working for Mr Trump and a starting salary of $250,000.
He reportedly had to persuade Mr Trump to take part - with the businessman initially declaring that reality TV was for 'the bottom-feeders of society'. Mr Burnett himself is said to prefer the term 'dramality' to 'reality TV'.
But the show's success has been credited with helping boost Mr Trump's public profile, while he has celebrated earning as much as $214million (£170million) from it.
Katherine Walker, a producer on the first five series, told the New Yorker magazine in 2019: 'I don't think any of us could have known what this would become.'
'But Donald would not be president had it not been for that show.'
And TV presenter and comic Jimmy Kimmel, when hosting the 2016 Emmy awards ceremony, pointed out Mr Burnett in the audience as he said: 'Television brings people together, but television can also tear us apart.'
'I mean, if it wasn't for television, would Donald Trump be running for president? Many have asked, "Who is to blame for Donald Trump?" I'll tell you who, because he's sitting right there - that guy.'
Mr Trump hosted the programme for 14 seasons until being fired by NBC in 2015, and his children Ivanka, Donald Jr and Eric featured on screen as advisors.
Meanwhile, Mr Burnett's son Cameron was ringbearer at the 2005 wedding of Mr Trump and future First Lady Melania.
Malibu-based Mr Burnett, who previously ran his own marketing business, joined entertainment giant MGM in 2013 and served as chairman of MGM Worldwide Television Group between 2018 and 2022.
His other hit shows include The Voice, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader and Shark Tank; as well as religious productions such as drama series The Bible and movie Son Of God.
He has embraced Christianity and philanthropic causes alongside his third wife Irish-actress Roma Downey who received a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame in August 2016 - Mr Burnett’s own similar tribute there was unveiled in July 2009.
The selection of Mr Burnett continues Trump’s trend of filling out his incoming administration with people who have high-profile backgrounds in television or politics, or both - including his choice to be defence secretary Pete Hegseth former co-host Fox & Friends Weekend; ex-television doctor unsuccessful Senate candidate Pennsylvania Mehmet Oz.
In response to Mr Trump’s revelation of his new UK-facing role,a spokesperson for Mr Burnett said this weekend he was ‘truly honoured to serve The United States of America and President Trump as his Special Envoy to the United Kingdom’.
His duties will differ from those of ambassador to UK,a post which has been awarded billionaire investment banker Trump donor Warren Stephens.
Mr Burnett’s own wealth has been estimated at $450million (£360million) - enough to buy 25million of those $18 T-shirts he was touting before transforming fortunes both himself president-elect now sending message:‘You’re hired.’