Jay Hunt, currently Director Of Programmes at Five, has been headhunted to take on the role of Controller of BBC1. She takes over from Peter Fincham who, as previously reported, quit over the whole "we have a show with the Queen storming off in a huff, oh, actually we don't" debacle.
Confirming the new job, Hunt said this: "Controller of BBC One has always been my dream job. Ultimately, I could not resist the opportunity to take on such a creatively exciting role. I am thrilled to be part of the channel's future. It has been an incredibly difficult decision to leave my talented team at Five but I could not turn down the best job in television".
Her new boss, BBC Director Of Vision, Jana Bennett, said this: "I am really pleased to welcome Jay back to the BBC to take up the reins of the UK's most popular channel and the BBC's flagship channel. She has impeccable credentials as a commissioner, channel leader and journalist and has a deep commitment to the BBC's mission to bring the best programmes to the widest audience. I am sure she will be greeted with huge enthusiasm by programme makers inside and outside the BBC, BBC Vision and the BBC One team".