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BAFTA award-winning comedy producer Jane Berthoud has been appointed Head of Radio Comedy at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, it was announced today by Mark Freeland, Head of Comedy, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Production. She will be the first woman to hold the post.

Jane has worked in ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Comedy for 14 years, six of which have been spent exclusively in radio, and her credits are varied and numerous, including – for TV – Ideal (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three) and Help (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two).

She is currently developing In My Country, a sitcom for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two with Simon Nye, and has just completed a pilot with Stephen K Amos for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two.

For radio her credits include At ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ With The Snails, World Of Pub and Audio Diaries (all ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 4) and Alan's Big One with Alan Davies for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 1.

Alongside her ability and experience as a comedy producer, Jane has particular expertise in soliciting and developing new shows. She has also led ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Comedy Production's current diversity initiative.

During her career Jane has worked with many of the great and good among comedy performers, including Kathy Burke, Caroline Aherne, Paul Whitehouse, Johnny Vegas, Bill Bailey, Omid Djalili and Stephen K Amos to name but a few.

She is currently developing a new radio series with the winner of last year's If.Comedy Newcomer Award, Sarah Millican.

Mark Freeland, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Head of Comedy said: "I'm delighted that Jane has accepted this important role. She has a passion for radio comedy and her natural drive and comedy radar means that she's ideally placed to take radio comedy forward into the digital age and new creative spaces."

Mark Damazer, Controller, Radio 4, said: "I am delighted that Jane is going to lead the Comedy team (in Audio and Music). She has a terrific track record. The department is vital to the Radio 4 audience and the whole of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ. It continues to produce many hits and with Jane at the helm I am sure it will continue to do so."

Jane said: "It's a very exciting job. With audiences in excess of five million per week, radio comedy remains a jewel in the crown of British culture and it's a privilege to be taking the helm."

Jane takes up her role on 4 May from the current Acting Head, Gareth Edwards, who will be returning to his role as producer in ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Production television (BAFTA-nominated That Mitchell And Webb Look ) and radio (Bleak Expectations, That Mitchell And Webb Sound).

KT