John Kaye Cooper to step down as ITV controller of entertainment at the end of the year
ITV controller of entertainment John Kaye Cooper has revealed he is to step down from his position at the end of 2013.
Kaye Cooper - the man behind shows such as X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and Surprise, Surprise - has held the role for five years and is leaving to spend more time with his family, but plans to remain in the industry on a freelance basis.
"The last five years have been some of the most exciting and enjoyable in my career. TV is a tremendously creative place to work. It has been a privilege to work with Peter Fincham and Elaine Bedell on so many terrific shows, with some brilliantly talented artistes, and the very best, innovative production teams and independent companies," commented Kaye Cooper.
As well as securing a ten-year deal to broadcast The Royal Variety Performance in 2011, Kaye Cooper was responsible for commissioning The Cube, Take Me Out, Piers Morgan's Life Stories and Catchphrase.
He added: "It will be a huge wrench to leave so many good friends and colleagues but I am looking forward to spending more time with my grandchildren who all live abroad. But I'm still incredibly passionate and enthusiastic about entertainment and big events, so I am planning to work freelance as a consultant or executive producer in between the travelling, and I am looking forward to working with ITV again in the future."
Bedell, ITV director of entertainment and comedy, said of Kaye Cooper's decision to step down: "ITV entertainment owes much to John Kaye Cooper. His name has been inseparable from many of ITV's hit series over the years - and many producers owe their own success to his support and inspiration.
"Despite having been responsible for more hit shows than most people in television, he has remained one of the most enthusiastic and energetic. He is also, indisputably, one of the nicest. We will miss him hugely in commissioning - but look forward to working with him again."