Young leaves 12 Yard

David Young is leaving ITV-owned prodco 12 Yard Productions, the company best known for reality travel format Coach Trip.

The UK broadcaster said Young, who launched 12 Yard in 2001, had decided it was “the natural time to move on to explore new opportunities.”

He will leave after overseeing a transition of power to co-owner Andy Culpin, who replaces him as MD, with Michael Mannes taking over as deputy MD.

12 Yard, which ITV acquired in 2007 for £35m (US$56.2m), is best known for Channel 4’s Coach Trip. A celebrity version of the travel format began airing last week, while ITV Studios France is producing a local version for French commercial net M6.

Other 12 Yard shows include In It to Win It, Who Dares Wins and BBC quizshow Eggheads.

Young made his name at the BBC, where he oversaw development of formats such as The Weakest Link.

News of his departure comes as ITV announced its director of entertainment and comedy, Elaine Bedell, had commissioned 12 Yard to produce a pilot of primetime format Holding Out For a Hero. The studio-based format sees contestants playing to change someone else’s life.

The show is a non-transmission pilot to be delivered next year, with new MD Culpin and Mannes executive producing. Culpin said 12 Yard was working with ITV Studios America to pitch the format at US networks.