ITV Signs Entertainment Guru As New Controller

ITV has appointed TV mogul Duncan Gray, the man behind The Big Breakfast and Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway as its new controller of entertainment ahead of a push for more successful content.

Gray will now return to the UK from Los Angeles to take up the role, commissioning and developing ITV’s stable of entertainment programming.

The new role will see Gray join ITV’s entertainment team, working alongside Guy Freeman, controller of music and events and Layla Sabih, controller of alternative programmes. Gray will report directly to Paul Jackson, director of entertainment and comedy.

Since 2002, Gray has worked for ABC Entertainment in the US, holding a position as vice president of alternative series and specials, developing and overseeing primetime programming including the award winning Sunday night franchise, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

For the last two years the new controller has been executive producer of ABC’s late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live, which transmitted to record ratings with its post Superbowl show and continues to outperform rival US talk shows in terms of year on year growth.

Commenting on the appointment, Paul Jackson said: “Duncan has done a fantastic job for ABC and has made a real impact in the US with the turn around of Jimmy Kimmel Live. I am delighted we’ve persuaded him to come back to the UK and to ITV. He has great relationships with key ITV talent, is undoubtedly one of the best analytical thinkers in the industry and I am very much looking forward to working with him again.”

Gray added: “Some opportunities make you turn your life upside down. I’ve had an unforgettable three years working for ABC but getting the chance to come back to where I belong and work with such a formidably talented group of old friends and new colleagues for ITV is simply irresistible. I can’t wait to start.”

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com