Mal Young leaves the BBC

Head of Continuing Series, Mal Young, is leaving the BBC at the end of the year to become Head of Drama for Simon Fuller's 19 TV.

Young joined the BBC as head of drama series in 1997 and has overseen several programmes including EastEnders, Casualty and Holby City.

"I've had the happiest and most fulfilling seven years at the BBC, but when Simon approached me about he and I working together, it was a no-brainer.

"We both aspire to make 'talk about TV' for big mainstream audiences and the time feels right for us to take advantage of the many exciting opportunities, both in the UK and the States.

"I wasn't actively looking to leave the BBC, but this felt like the perfect fit."