Phil Clarke named as Channel 4's new Head of Comedy

Channel 4's Chief Creative Officer Jay Hunt, announced today that comedy supremo, Phil Clarke would be joining the channel as its new Head of Comedy.

Overseeing a slate of shows that range from Black Mirror, Derek and Bad Sugar to new talent initiatives like 4Funnies and Comedy Blaps, Phil will be joining the channel in the New Year.

Currently Head of Comedy and Entertainment at Objective Productions, Phil joined as Head of Comedy, setting up the comedy department in spring 2003, after producing the first series of Peep Show in 2002.  Overseeing numerous award-winning series for Channel 4 and the BBC, Phil was Executive Producer for all of Objective's scripted comedy, including Fresh Meat, Peep Show, Star Stories and Pete Versus Life.

Previously, Phil was Editor of Comedy for Talkback Productions, overseeing as Executive Producer, much of the company's comedy output which included Bo Selecta and Never Mind The  Buzzcocks. He also produced numerous comedy shows for Talkback including Big Train and the Brass Eye Special. Prior to that Phil worked at as a producer at BBC in both radio and television.

Jay Hunt said: "Phil has been behind some of the biggest comedy hits on British TV.  He is brilliantly creative and will be a strong, thoughtful leader for the Channel 4 comedy team."

On joining Channel 4, Phil Clarke said: "Channel 4 has an outstanding comedy heritage, so I'm honoured and delighted to be joining the creative commissioning team"

Comedy Commissioning Editor, Nerys Evans, currently Acting Head of the department will be promoted to Deputy Head of Comedy with immediate effect.