ITV’s director of entertainment and comedy Elaine Bedell has decided to step down after seven years.
Bedell, who joined ITV in 2009, oversees some of the network’s biggest programmes including Britain’s Got Talent, The X Factor, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and The Brits.
She will leave ITV at the end of February in a move that some insiders have suggested is the first sign of an upcoming top level clear out by incoming director of television Kevin Lygo.
Source and more: RadioTimes
There’s been speculation that Lygo’s appointment might affect Bedell who has been described as a key Fincham lieutenant. Renewal decisions will also be coming on two of the shows she oversaw, Simon Cowell’s X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, whose contracts expire this year. The aging franchises are still top draws but ITV now has The Voice which it snagged from the BBC last year.
Source and more: Deadline
Stay tuned as we continue to monitor the status of The X-Factor UK and BGT…
Marcia {Aussie Land} says
please don’t let them cancel UK X Factor or Britians Got Talent two top shows
Beau says
Thought this years X Factor was the poorest yet. It shouldnt take over the whole of the Saturday and Sunday nights viewing for all those months. Didnt think the winner was worthy. The runners ups were better. Lauren and Chey. Loved Rod Stewart though. Big Brother and Clebrity Big Brother and Im a Celebrity, get me out of here. So, so many reality tv snows. No good. Cheap tv.