New BBC Comedy Controller Announced

 

It’s been announced that Cheryl Taylor will become the BBC’s new head of Comedy Commissioning.

 

Jana Bennett, Director, BBC Vision, announced today that Cheryl Taylor, currently BBC Executive Editor, Out of London, Comedy Commissioning, is the BBC’s new Controller, Comedy Commissioning. Taylor, currently based in Manchester, will take up the role in the autumn and will remain in Manchester.

 

“This is the premier job in comedy in the UK. Cheryl taps into the comedy community across the country and is widely respected throughout the industy and by both in-house and independent producers and controllers. Our audiences love great comedy and it’s extremely important to all of our channels and online. I can’t think of a better person to provide healthy doses of laughter than Cheryl.” – Jana Bennett

 

In her current role, she has been responsible for nurturing original comedy from the nations and regions – Gavin And Stacey, Sunshine, The Old Guys and Life Of Riley for BBC One; Rab C Nesbitt Christmas Special, The Cup and Home Time for BBC Two; Lunch Monkeys and The Gemma Factor for BBC Three; and The Cowards on BBC Four.

 

Between August 2006 and May 2007 Cheryl Taylor was Acting Controller, Comedy Commissioning at the BBC, covering Lucy Lumsden’s maternity leave. During this time she re-commissioned Gavin And Stacey (BBC Three) and commissioned Sunshine (BBC One) and Lab Rats (BBC Two) amongst others.  Prior to this she was Head of Comedy at Hat Trick Productions from where she co-created Drop Dead Gorgeous (BBC Three), and executive produced Worst Week Of My Life (BBC One) and Bromwell High (Channel 4).  She began her commissioning career at Channel 4 where she was responsible for Spaced, Black Books and The World Of Derren Brown, amongst others.

 

“I’m completely thrilled to be asked to head up the BBC’s extensive comedy operation – and in particular from my Manchester base. It’s the most exciting and diverse comedy job in the country and I’m delighted that the genre will have such a significant role to play in the BBC’s ongoing commitment to creative communities across the UK.” – Cheryl Taylor

 

The BBC will be recruiting for an Out of London commissioning executive for Comedy who will also be based outside London covering in-house and indies.