BBC Studios has appointed Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway Executive Producer, Pete Ogden, as Creative Director, Entertainment North.
Ogden will join the BBC’s commercial arm from ITV Studios in early May.
As well as Saturday Night Takeaway, he launched the Australian version – Chris and Julia’s Sunday Night Takeaway – for Channel 10, I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! and The X Factor.
He previously headed up the team on ITV’s This Morning.
Based in Salford and reporting into Suzy Lamb, Ogden will drive the entertainment growth in the North, overseeing the development and delivery of new commissions for the BBC and other UK and global broadcasters and platforms.
He will also be expanding on a slate of shows already based in the North including A Question of Sport, Sport Relief and new daytime series like Home Is Where the Art Is.
Suzy Lamb, Managing Director Entertainment and Music Production, BBC Studios, said: “The North is a major priority for us and I’m delighted Pete is joining BBC Studios and relocating to the North to take on this exciting challenge to grow our business in Salford. He’s a highly versatile creative, incredible with talent and will be a brilliant asset to our team.
Ogden said: “Being from Blackpool originally I am delighted to be returning to the north to join BBC Studios in Salford. I’ve loved my eight years at ITV Studios. I’ve worked with some of the most incredible talent on and off screen but I am now looking forward to the new exciting opportunities that lie ahead.”