The Director of BBC Television has announced his intention to leave the ailing national broadcaster.
Danny Cohen, whose credits include programmes like Call The Midwife and Last Tango In Halifax, will leave his £327k role at the end of November to pursue a new, as yet unknown, leadership challenge.
Critics often viewed Cohen as the cocky blue-eyed boy of the BBC after he experienced what can only be described as a meteoric rise through the executive ranks.
He became the youngest ever Controller of BBC One at the tender age of 36 and was tipped by some as a future Director General.
In a BBC press release, Cohen said: "After eight wonderful years at the BBC, it is time for my next big challenge. BBC Television is on brilliant creative form. I feel very privileged to have led Television for the world's finest public service broadcaster and to have worked with so many smart and talented people. In particular, I'd like to thank my fantastic team across BBC Television, all the people who have been involved with making our programmes in the last few years, my colleagues on the Executive Board and Tony Hall, who I admire greatly.
"In the last few weeks I've been approached about a number of exciting opportunities and I want to consider these in an open and transparent way."
The BBC Director General, Tony Hall, was first to praise his loathsome underling as "one of TV's great talents".
The 41-year-old Oxford graduate has been embroiled in several controversies during his stint at the Corporation.
Most recently has was accused of trying to nobble Ministers by orchestrating a "celebrity" letter of endorsement. He was also accused of waging a "personal war" against former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson.
Mark Linsey, the BBC's Controller of Entertainment Commissioning, will take on Cohen's responsibilities until a replacement is confirmed.
The TV Licensing Blog apologises for the tardiness of this article, but it has been a rather busy month!
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