Taylor exits BBC Studios

BBC Studios’ in-house entertainment production chief has become the latest high-profile departure from the UK pubcaster’s commercial production subsidiary.

Katie Taylor

Katie Taylor had overseen entertainment and events for six years, working on shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Top Gear and Dragons’ Den.

Her next move is not yet known but Taylor’s exit follows that of factual and daytime chief Natalie Humphreys, who revealed her departure yesterday.

Humphreys had been in the role since 2013 and worked across programmes including Big Blue Live, Countryfile and The One Show.

Her exit came just weeks after Mark Freeland, who headed up scripted and entertainment, said he would also be leaving BBC Studios ahead of its launch at the end of April.

The exits follow a revamp of BBC Studios under new boss Mark Linsey, who took over from Peter Salmon earlier this year after he moved to Endemol Shine Group.

Taylor also becomes another casualty on the soon-to-launch reboot of motoring show Top Gear, which is being prepped to debut in May fronted by new host Chris Evans.

The BBC has faced an exodus of senior staff over the past 12 months, ranging from drama chief Polly Hill – who joined commercial competitor ITV – to BBC TV chief Danny Cohen and BBC2 controller Kim Shillinglaw, who is set to leave after a reshuffle by BBC boss Tony Hall.