Mal Young to leave the BBC?

MediaGuardian (free registration required) is claiming that BBC's Controller of Continuing Series, Mal Young, is poised to leave the Corporation to join Simon Fuller's 19 Management.

A deal has not yet been signed but it understood that Fuller, who made his name with the Spice Girls, has made him an offer that is difficult to refuse - potentially worth more than £600,000 a year.

Mr Fuller is believed to have persuaded Mr Young that he has a big future at the company developing drama formats for the UK and US market.

The deal would allow Mr Young to create drama formats for terrestrial and cable TV and a major commission for the US market is already on the cards.