Award winning performer, writer, director and producer Armando
Iannucci is to return to the BBC on an exclusive two year deal.
Best known as the creator of Alan Partridge, Friday
Night Armistice and The Day Today, Armando
will work closely with Jon Plowman, Head of Comedy Entertainment, to
develop and produce a wide range of projects.
As well as working on his trademark contemporary political comedy,
Armando will be given the creative freedom and space to develop ideas
that include comedy but could also stray into other programme areas,
including current affairs and arts for BBC ONE, BBC TWO, BBC THREE and
BBC FOUR.
Armando will also write and present some projects, as well as producing
and directing others.
Armando said: "I'm more thrilled than I can possibly say to be
part of an unstoppable digital empire. Although I'm going to concentrate
on new comedy projects, I'm also keen to come up with fresh ways of
developing politics and the arts, particularly music, on television.
"It's the freedom the BBC has given me to mix different genres
together that's been particularly trouser watering."
Alan Yentob, Director, Drama Entertainment and Childrens, added: "Armando
is a begetter of a raft of comic creations on radio and TV. He is a
brilliant producer, a great innovator, no mean presenter and a champion
of new talent.
"I'm delighted he is returning to BBC Entertainment.but with a
licence to stray into other genres."
Armando's first TV series was the hugely influential The Day Today,
written with Chris Morris. He then went on to write and present three
series of the Montreaux award winning, topical show Friday Night Armistice
for BBC TWO.
He was responsible for two series of the Bafta and British Comedy Award
winning I'm Alan Partridge as well as its precursor, Knowing Me, Knowing
You..with Alan Partridge.
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