The editor of The Archers is quitting the radio soap after just over a year to work on ITV shows Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
Huw Kennair-Jones joined The Archers, the world’s longest-running soap, at the end of September last year.
But ITV has announced he will be joining the broadcaster’s drama commissioning team.
Kennair-Jones will take commissioning responsibility “for the biggest continuing dramas on the network, Coronation Street and Emmerdale”.
The Rovers Return on the set of the ITV soap Coronation Street (ITV)
He said: “I’m delighted to be joining the ITV drama team at such an exciting time.
“ITV has always been at the forefront of TV drama and I’m thrilled to be getting the chance to work on Coronation Street and Emmerdale, two of the UK’s most iconic programmes.
“And though I’ll be away from Borsetshire, the fantastic cast and crew of The Archers in Birmingham will always have a special place in my heart and I’ll be listening as avidly as I ever have. I’ve loved being part of such a brilliant programme.”
Huw Kennair-Jones (ITV)
Kennair-Jones, who has produced dramas including Medici: Masters of Florence, New Tricks and Waterloo Road, will join the ITV commissioning team in December.
He worked in drama commissioning at Sky for six years, on the likes of Strike Back, Mad Dogs, The Last Witch, Fleming, Falcon, The Runaway and Going Postal.
The Archers’ previous editor, Sean O’Connor, left the Radio 4 soap to work on EastEnders.
Kennair-Jones will stay at The Archers until the end of November.
Radio 4 controller Gwyneth Williams said: “Huw Kennair-Jones has done a great job in Ambridge.
“It has been an eventful year in the village – Rob Titchener left for Minnesota, the cricket team admitted women for the first time, Jill Archer celebrated 60 years in Ambridge and Matt Crawford has returned to upset the apple cart.
“I would like to thank Huw and wish him well in his new role at ITV.”
Radio 4 said the recruitment process for a new editor would begin shortly.
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