ITV director of entertainment and comedy Elaine Bedell is to leave the broadcaster after seven years.
The announcement comes less than two weeks after director of television Peter Fincham revealed he was leaving the broadcaster to be replaced by ITV Studios boss, Kevin Lygo.
Bedell, who joined ITV in 2009, was responsible for entertainment and comedy shows including Britain’s Got Talent, The X Factor, I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here, Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and Benidorm.
She will leave ITV at the end of February.
Bedell said: “I more or less arrived at ITV at the same time as Susan Boyle, and from that extraordinary audition moment on, it has been the most exhilarating seven years.
“I’ve had the privilege of being closely involved with some of the very best entertainment and comedy talent in the UK and worked with some exceptional producers, as well as the brilliant, unbelievably hard-working teams here at the network.
“I’m very proud of our output, but seven years is a long time to be a commissioner and it’s time for me to move on and let someone else make their mark. I wish Kevin all the very best. I know he will do a great job.”
Previously, Bedell was the BBC’s commissioning editor for features and factual entertainment, when she oversaw The One Show, as well as commissioning programmes such as Friday Night with Jonathon Ross, Strictly Come Dancing and Top Gear.
Fincham said: “Elaine has been a tremendous colleague over the past seven years and has led the entertainment and comedy team with unswerving commitment and enormous flair. I can completely understand why she wants to seek new pastures and I wish her the very best of luck. I’ve had such fun working with Elaine and her team, she’s a class act.”
