...to set up a new production company

BBC comedy chief Shane Allen is leaving the corporation after nine years at the helm.

He will team up with another recently departed executive, former head of comedy commissioning Kate Daughton, to launch a new production company specialising in scripted comedy and comedy drama.

Allen, who was previously head of comedy at Channel 4, has commissioned a vast range of shows during his time at the BBC, including Fleabag, Detectorists, Peter Kay’s Car Share, This Country, The Young Offenders, Upstart Crow, Inside No. 9 and W1A.

He also spearheaded the foundation of the BBC Comedy Association this year to nurture new talent, as well as the Festival of Funny, celebrating the genre across the BBC’s output.

He said: ‘I’ve felt like a competition winner every single day working with the cream of creative talents at the broadcaster which is so synonymous with the story of British comedy.

‘Now feels an opportune time to start a new career chapter as the world opens up again and British comedy talents continue to take the world by storm.’

Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s chief content officer, paid tribute to her departing director of comedy.

She said: ‘Shane is an extraordinary creative whose passion for spotting exciting new talent and pushing comedy boundaries has had a remarkable impact on the whole British comedy industry for the best part of a decade. From Fleabag to Car Share, This Country to People Just Do Nothing, Inside No. 9, and Motherland to Famalam, the range, the quality and the sheer ambition of BBC comedy has kept audiences laughing year in year out.

‘And his pioneering work to support new talent has led to a golden age for British comedy, winning more awards, launching more new voices on the global stage and commissioning more hits than any other broadcaster.

‘He leaves BBC comedy in rude health but we owe Shane a great debt of gratitude and I won’t be alone in saying I will miss him greatly both personally and professionally.’

His new company with Daughton is called Boffola Pictures Ltd and is backed by Lookout Point, the producers behind Gentleman Jack and A Suitable Boy, among others.

The BBC is now on the lookout for his replacement before he leaves in August.

Published: 5 May 2021