Peter Fincham named BBC One controller

Outgoing Talkback Thames CEO Peter Fincham has been confirmed as the new controller of BBC One.

Fincham is a surprise replacement for Lorraine Heggessey, who is - somewhat coincidentally - taking up Fincham's Talkback role from the summer.

In a statement issued this morning, the Beeb's director of television Jana Bennett said: "If there are maybe 10 people who have shaped television over the last decade, Peter is one of them. He has a formidable track record in delivering original and outstanding programmes across a range of modern public service genres, and the knack of making them appeal to broad audiences.

"From authored voices, like Stephen Poliakoff's The Lost Prince, to new entertainment formats like X Factor and factual series like Jamie's Kitchen, he has been involved in some of the most respected and acclaimed programming of recent times.

"Peter has run an incredibly successful business but has done it along highly creative lines, and he has a strong grasp of the importance of creativity in the competitive environment of broadcasting.

"He is known as someone who attracts the best talent, supports the best ideas and then backs them with a tenacious passion. I am looking forward to welcoming him as part of BBC Television."

Fincham added: "I grew up watching BBC One and the first programmes I made as an independent producer were for BBC One, so it's enormously flattering to be asked to take over as channel controller from Lorraine Heggessey.

"I am used to being responsible for a wide range of programmes and BBC One stands for range, quality and integrity. It also has a unique breadth of appeal.

"The BBC is going through big changes, but BBC One remains its flagship channel and reinterpreting and reinvigorating it for new audiences is about as exciting a challenge as it gets.

"I once applied for a job as a researcher on The Late, Late Breakfast Show and was turned down, so it's taken me 20 years to get a job at the BBC – but what a job!"