Confirmed: Murphy quits BBC for RDF

Stuart Murphy has today confirmed his defection to Wife Swap producers RDF Media.

The BBC Three controller will take up his new post in January after departing the corporation next month.

"The BBC is a phenomenal place to work, and I'll miss it a lot," said Murphy in a statement. "I feel very privileged to have led the highly imaginative team who devised, launched, and then ran BBC Three. I feel I'm leaving the channel in fantastic shape, in great hands and on a real high.

"However, the chance to work as Creative Director across RDF output was irresistible. Like BBC Three, RDF Media is run with passion and fun, by people who love a laugh and love to work hard and make great TV. It is probably the best independent producer in Britain right now and I look forward to working hard with the teams to bring out even more of their creativity."

Jana Bennett, the BBC's director of television, said: "Stuart has inspired many programme makers and has been an insightful, funny, provocative and highly valued member of the BBC television team. It's been fantastic working with him in the BBC and we look forward to working with him in his new role at RDF."

Among those tipped to replace Murphy are John Keeling, controller of UKTV Gold; Richard Woolfe, director of Living TV; and Red Johnson, editor of UKTV Gold and Drama.