The Stage

Yorke replaces Young at BBC

Published Thursday 11 November 2004 at 17:10 by Liz Thomas

John Yorke’s return to the BBC has been confirmed today by the Corporation’s director of drama, entertainment and CBBC Alan Yentob and controller of drama commissioning Jane Tranter.

The move comes after weeks of debate over who would replace Mal Young in his role as controller of continuing drama series after he announced his decision to defect to Pop Idol production company 19TV in September.

Yorke is to take up Young’s position and also work as joint head of independent drama with Lucy Richer - his deputy at Channel 4, where he ran the drama department.

Jane Tranter said: “Alongside continuing drama series, John will work with the independent sector on an ambitious portfolio that encompasses series, serials and events across the four channels.”

Yentob also announced Laura Mackie will manage the revamped in-house drama department, which will see returning drama series such as Waking the Dead, Down to Earth and Judge John Deed merged with the serials department - responsible for productions such as Cutting It, Blackpool and The Long Firm.

In the meantime, Channel 4 will merge its TV drama and film departments. Tessa Ross, who headed the drama department before she was appointed head of films two years ago, will now head the new department. She was responsible for commissioning the first series of the critically acclaimed Shameless and popular comedy drama Teachers.