Fremantle’s head of global entertainment production Chris O’Dell retires from TV

O’Dell worked on global formats at Fremantle including Got Talent

Chris O’Dell has retired from his role at Fremantle, bringing to a close a television career spanning more than four decades and some of the UK’s most recognisable entertainment formats.

O’Dell, who served as head of global entertainment production since 2014, announced his retirement in a LinkedIn post, saying he left Fremantle on October 9 and was stepping away from the television industry altogether.

Chris O’Dell

He spent nearly 20 years with Fremantle’s global entertainment team, working on international versions of formats including Got Talent, Idol, The X Factor, Take Me Out, Hole in the Wall and The Price Is Right.

His career began in the 1980s with regional community programming for Television South, the former ITV franchise, before he moved into light entertainment at London Weekend Television (LWT).

During his time at LWT, O’Dell worked on a range of established UK entertainment programmes, including Blind Date, Surprise Surprise, You Bet! and An Audience With….

Over the course of his career, he also worked with prominent British television personalities including Cilla Black, Bruce Forsyth, Simon Cowell, Ant & Dec, Bradley Walsh, Matthew Kelly and Tess Daly.

Reflecting on his departure, O’Dell said he felt fortunate to have worked on productions around the world alongside talented colleagues, with the shared aim of creating television that entertained audiences.

“It’s both a privilege and an emotional wrench to decide to step away from the day-to-day of everything this job demands. I’m sure I’ll miss it, but I’m also sure it’s time for me to start a new chapter,” he wrote.

“I want to thank anyone who has ever helped me over the years. I know TV can sometimes feel like a challenging place, but I also believe the world will never lose its appetite to be entertained by the ideas that you all continue to create. Cherish it.”