BBC appoints new radio comedy head
Berthoud is first woman to hold the job
The BBC has appointed producer Jane Berthoud as its new head of radio comedy.She previously produced the TV series Help with Paul Whitehouse and World Of Pub with Peter Serafinowicz – and is currently developing BBC Two sitcom In My Country, set in a multi-racial guest house.
Her other current projects include a BBC Two pilot for Stephen K Amos and a new radio series with if.comedy newcomer Sarah Millican.
Berthoud – who will be the first woman to hold the job – said: ‘It's a very exciting job. With audiences in excess of five million per week, radio comedy remains a jewel in the crown of British culture.’
Mark Freeland, the BBC’s head of comedy added: ‘I'm delighted that Jane has accepted this important role. She has a passion for radio comedy and her natural drive and comedy radar means that she's ideally placed to take radio comedy forward into the digital age and new creative spaces.’
She takes up her role on May 4 from the current acting head, Gareth Edwards, who will be returning to his role as a BBC TV producer.
Published: 26 Mar 2009
