The big media story yesterday, of course, was that, as expected,
BBC 1 controller Lorraine Heggessey is quitting to go and run independent TV producer Talkback Thames.
The
BBC’s director of TV, Jana Bennett, confirmed Heggessey’s decision yesterday, after which she paid tribute to the woman who has run the Corporation’s flagship channel for nearly five years, saying she was a "human dynamo" and a
"true champion of public service broadcasting, consistently backing talent and creativity".
Some reckoned Heggessey, a close ally of former BBC Director General
Greg Dyke, would quit when he was sacked last year in the post-Hutton mess. However new BBC boss Mark Thompson encouraged her to stay.
She says she has decided to quit now so she can leave while the channel is on a high - "After almost five years as controller of BBC1, I feel I am ready for a new challenge and could not pass up the opportunity to join one of the UK's most respected production companies. I have had a wonderful time at BBC1, working with some of the best talent both in front of and behind the camera."