Allen leaves BBC for Big Talk

BBC creative head of comedy and Comedy North Kenton Allen is leaving the Beeb to join UK indie Big Talk Productions.

Allen will fill the newly created role of joint CEO at Big Talk, the outfit behind TV comedies Black Books and Spaced as well as films like Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.

Allen joined the BBC in 2003, having previously held the role of creative director at Elisabeth Murdoch’s Shine, of which he was a founding member. At the BBC, he established BBC Comedy North in Manchester, the pubcaster’s first regional comedy production base.

“The past five years has been a wonderfully creative period for comedy at the BBC and I am incredibly proud of the writing and performing talent that has been developed by the department during this time,” Allen said.

“I leave behind a terrific slate of shows and a talented team who I know will go from strength to strength – but I feel that the time is right for new challenges.”

Peter Salmon, chief creative officer at BBC Vision, said: “Kenton Allen has played a crucial role in the reinvigoration of BBC comedy production. From the Bafta-winning Mitchell and Webb Look to BBC1’s After You’ve Gone, from Omid Djalili to Comedy North, he has championed talent and teams in London and the North-west. We wish him as much luck and success in his new role as he has had over the past five years with us.”

Allen will take up his new role in September.