Lumsden jumps ship after 11 years

Sky TV’s planned push into comedy has received a major boost after BBC comedy chief Lucy Lumsden jumped ship.

In a surprise move, Lumsden is leaving the corporation after 11 years to become head of comedy across the Sky channel – a job that has not previously existed.

She reportedly handed in her notice as the BBC’s controller of comedy commissioning last night – a job she has held since 2005.

She began her career in television in 1992 on the BBC2 episodes of The Comic Strip, and in her current role commissioned a huge range of shows including Not Going Out, Outnumbered, Reggie Perrin, The Omid Djalili Show, The Catherine Tate Show, Lead Balloon, Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps and TittyBangBang.

Sky1 director of programming, Stuart Murphy previously worked with Lumsden on many of BBC Three’s early comedy hits – including Nighty Night, Pulling and The Mighty Boosh – and has ambitious plans for comedy on Sky.

Lumsden will take up her new post in the autumn, with her deputy, Simon Wilson, filling in at the BBC until a permanent replacement is found.

Murphy said: ‘Comedy takes time to get right, and it’s an art not a science. But with Lucy at the helm it feels like we are giving ourselves the best chance of generating hits which our subscribers will love. I loved working with her before, and can’t wait to start working with her again.

‘In everything we do we need to be the best, and Lucy is simply the best commissioner in the comedy business. Her track record is astonishing… she has shown time and again that she is as comfortable working with new talent as she is with established names.’

Lumsden added: ‘I’ve absolutely loved being at the BBC, but Stuart’s unstoppable enthusiasm for comedy is utterly infectious and I really looking forward to working with him again. Sky1 has always delivered big on its programming promise and I’m excited about the opportunities for comedy.’

Published: 19 Jun 2009