New controller of BBC1 is named

The BBC has appointed a new controller of BBC1, replacing Peter Fincham forced to resign in October over misleading footage of the Queen with a "safe pair of hands" who was previously head of daytime TV for the corporation.

Jay Hunt left her role as BBC1 and BBC2's controller of "daytime and early peak" programmes less than a year ago for the job of director of content at Five. But yesterday the BBC announced it had poached her back as it sought to draw a line under the "crowngate" affair that involved doctored footage, prepared by an independent production company but promoted to journalists by Mr Fincham, purporting to show the Queen storming out of a photo shoot.

Ms Hunt will be in charge of a flagship channel focussed on entertainment and drama, but comes from a news current affairs background. She has served as editor of the BBC's One O'Clock News and Six O'Clock News, and was responsible for a range of consumer programmes such as Great British Menu and What's Really in Our Food?

Ms Hunt, 40, told the BBC news website: "I could not resist the opportunity to take on such a creatively exciting role. I am thrilled to be part of the channel's future. It has been an incredibly difficult decision to leave my talented team at Five but I could not turn down the best job in television."

Jana Bennett, the director of BBC Vision,said she was "really pleased to welcome Jay back to the BBC".