Peep Show exec Phil Clarke heads team

Phil Clarke – the head of comedy at Objective Productions – has been appointed the new head of comedy at Channel 4.

He will be replacing Shane Allen, who quit earlier this year to join the BBC, from early 2013.

Clarke has already been an executive producer for several Channel 4 comedy hits – including Fresh Meat, Peep Show, Star Stories and Pete Versus Life, which are all made by Objective.

Previously, he was editor of comedy for Talkback Productions, overseeing such shows a Bo Selecta, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Big Train and the Brass Eye special.

Channel 4’s chief creative officer Jay Hunt said: ‘Phil has been behind some of the biggest comedy hits on British TV.  He is brilliantly creative and will be a strong, thoughtful leader for the Channel 4 comedy team.’

And Clarke said: ‘Channel 4 has an outstanding comedy heritage, so I’m honoured and delighted to be joining the creative commissioning team.’

Commissioning editor Nerys Evans, who was acting head of the department since Allen quit, is promoted to deputy head of comedy with immediate effect.

Objective has a close relationship with Channel 4. The broadcaster’s previous head of comedy, Andrew Newman, is now chief executive of the production house.

Published: 19 Nov 2012