Comedy news: All change at BBC comedy as Katie Taylor heads to new post

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The BBC’s executive editor for comedy entertainment, Katie Taylor has been names as the BBC’s new head of entertainment and events.

The new post means that Taylor who has overseen shows such as Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Nevermind the Buzzcocks will now be in charge of many of the Corporation’s major shows such as Top Gear, Strictly Come Dancing and the Eurovision Song Contest. 

Taylor said: “I am very excited to be working with so many talented BBC faces, both on and behind the screen and look forward to both bringing on the next generation of artists and to creating brand defining and distinctive entertainment shows and events,”

Taylor has a long career in comedy commissioning, before her time at the BBC she was also worked on some of Channel 4’s biggest shows including So Graham Norton, 8 out of 10 Cats and Brass Eye.

Taylor has also overseen other comedy greats such as Father Ted, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Countdown, Channel Izzard and Comedy Labs during her time at C4.

Taylor is set to replace Jon Beazley, who is leaving the BBC, and expected to take up her role later in the spring.