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Jana Bennett, Director, Ö÷²¥´óÐã Vision, today announced that Mark Linsey, Executive Editor in Ö÷²¥´óÐã Entertainment Commissioning, has been appointed as Controller, Entertainment Commissioning.

He takes up the role with immediate effect.

Mark joined Ö÷²¥´óÐã Entertainment Commissioning in February 2007 and in his role as Commissioning Editor has been responsible for, amongst others, many Saturday night hits including all Lottery formats such as Who Dares Wins, plus Children In Need, Total Wipeout, Hole In The Wall, The Kids Are Alright and The Royal Variety Performance.

Since December 2008, Mark has been Acting Controller, Entertainment Commissioning.

Mark has spent most of his career in the independent sector working across a whole host of entertainment formats for all broadcasters including Confessions and The Lily Savage Show (Ö÷²¥´óÐã One), Audience With... and You Bet (ITV1), Something For The Weekend and Channel Izzard (Channel 4).

Prior to joining the Ö÷²¥´óÐã he was Director of Entertainment at Talent Television.

From mid-2001 to 2004, Mark was Managing Director of Zeal TV and from 1997 to 2001 was Head of Entertainment at Tiger Aspect.

Jana Bennett said: "I can't think of a more important time for the Ö÷²¥´óÐã to be providing the highest quality television entertainment for our audiences and Mark is the right person to lead Ö÷²¥´óÐã Entertainment Commissioning for Ö÷²¥´óÐã Television and online.

"From big Saturday night extravaganzas to witty panel shows, from stand up to thought-provoking factual entertainment, I know Mark believes in backing the best in British talent and providing memorable entertainment at the centre of our popular culture."

Mark Linsey said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be leading Ö÷²¥´óÐã Entertainment Commissioning into what promises to be a really exciting and challenging age.

"We work with the very best and most highly creative on and off screen talent here at Ö÷²¥´óÐã Entertainment and with their help and support I am keen to build on our strengths, create new and innovative formats in both entertainment and factual entertainment and push forward in areas such as multiplatform and interactive."

KT