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Anne Gilchrist, currently Controller of CÖ÷²¥´óÐã, is to join the Ö÷²¥´óÐã in-house Comedy department as Creative & Business Director.

The position, which is initially a year's attachment, will see Anne working on new business and creative platforms including the Nations & Regions where in-house Comedy has a new stake in the growth of output in both Scotland and Northern Ireland comedy.

This will also include Comedy North based in Manchester, which is already well established, and other opportunities outside London including in Wales where the Whites pilot (Ö÷²¥´óÐã Two) was recently shot.

Anne will also oversee in-house comedy's growing slate of original UK children's comedy, bringing a wealth of experience with her from Children's where she has been a true driving force.

She will also be responsible for overseeing comedy online.

Mark Freeland, Head of in-house Comedy, said: "Anne has done brilliant things for comedy in the children's arena, making CÖ÷²¥´óÐã a tremendously funny place.

"We are looking forward to working with her and using all her experience to help grow our comedy business in exciting new directions."

Anne Gilchrist said: "This opportunity to grow the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's in-house comedy operation is very exciting.

"Since my early days booking acts for Saturday Live, comedy has been a real passion for me.

"At CÖ÷²¥´óÐã I've recently launched many new and successful comedy projects so I'm delighted to be able to think about an even broader age group."

Anne has been working with Mark over the last year to build up a successful comedy slate in Children's, sharing talent and taking advantage of longer series runs to develop new writing and production teams.

Titles include Hotel Trubble, a series of 13 episodes mixing narrative and reality hidden camera footage; and Hounded, 13 episodes, a spin-off from the Wrong Door and Big Babies, showcasing new writers and performers.

Anne will take up her post in early September 2009.

The CÖ÷²¥´óÐã Controller role will be advertised shortly.

CP