Cheryl Taylor takes over at the BBC

Cheryl Taylor is to be the BBC’s new head of comedy commissioning, the corporation has announced today.

She is already responsible for ordering comedy programmes from outside London, and will continue to work from her Manchester base when she takes up the new role in the autumn.

The BBC’s controller of vision, Jana Bennett, said:  ‘This is the premier job in comedy in the UK.  Cheryl taps into the comedy community across the country and is widely respected throughout the industry.’

Taylor replaces Lucy Lumsden, who jumped ship to become Sky One’s first head of comedy in June.

Taylor previously stood in for Lumsden when she was on maternity leave, during which time she commissioned Craig Cash’s Sunshine for BBC One and and Chris Addison’s Lab Rats for BBC Two, as well as ordering a new series of  Gavin & Stacey.

In her current role, Taylor’s other commissions include The Old Guys, Life of Riley, the Rab C Nesbitt Christmas Special and The Cowards.   

Before joining the BBC, Taylor was head of comedy at Hat Trick Productions from where she worked on Drop Dead Gorgeous, Worst Week of my Life and Bromwell High. 

Taylor said:  ‘I’m completely thrilled to be asked to head up the BBC’s extensive comedy operation  – and in particular from my Manchester base. It's the most exciting and diverse comedy job in the country.’

The BBC will be recruiting for an out of London commissioning executive to replace her in her old job.

Published: 27 Aug 2009