Ex BBC Three controller to head Sky1

Stuart Murphy has been named as the new director of programmes for Sky1, Sky2 and Sky3.

Currently creative director at facent producer Twofour Broadcast, Murphy was previously controller of BBC Three, with credits including Torchwood, Little Britain and Gavin & Stacey.

He replaces outgoing Sky1 head Richard Woolfe, who leaves the broadcaster in mid-March prior to joining Five as director of programmes in May.

"Stuart is a great television talent with proven programming flair and multichannel expertise," said Sophie Turner Laing, Sky's MD of Entertainment. "The channel is in exceptionally good health and I would like to thank Richard Woolfe, who has done an excellent job over the last three years in establishing its identity and growing success in award-winning original programmes."

Andrew O'Connell, Sky1's commissioning editor for factual, will serve as acting controller until Murphy takes up the post in May.