Flashman: back to Channel 5
Channel 5 News has wooed back Gay Flashman to be managing editor from Channel 4’s breakfast show RI:SE.
Flashman, who was part of the 5 News launch team, was working on The Edit, Channel 5’s Saturday programme aimed at younger viewers, before she joined Channel 4’s replacement for the Big Breakfast as programme editor.
Prior to its launch in May, the programme’s makers, Princess Productions and Sky, sought to woo journalists from its rivals’ more innovative news programmes such as the BBC entertainment news programme Liquid News, and 5 News. The latter has pioneered a more youthful approach to news since its launch in 1995.
Deborah Turness, editor of 5 News, was persuaded to join the programme four days after it first went on air after launch editor Mark Killick’s surprise departure.
Under her editorship, the programme has gained credibility among the critics – but it has not retained the audiences of around 400,000 who tuned in last month when huge chunks of the show were devoted to coverage of Big Brother.
After the housemates’ departure from the Big Brother house, audiences halved to around 200,000.
Now Flashman is returning to 5 News as part of the reshuffle that has followed Turness’s departure and will replace Adrian Monck, who was made deputy editor earlier this month.
Flashman also worked at BBC Knowledge as a commissioning executive between 1999 and 2001. She will be taking up her new post next month, and will also take over as executive producer on The Edit.
"It’s a pleasure to be returning to 5 News and ITN and I’m looking forward to getting my teeth into all the challenges of a fast-paced news environment once again," said Flashman. "It’s also a great chance for me to combine hands-on programme production with ongoing management responsibilities."
Editor Gary Rogers said he was "delighted" that she was returning to the programme: "She has just the right combination of editorial flair and business skill for the managing editor’s role and I’m looking forward to working with her again," he said.
By Julie Tomlin
Channel 5 News has wooed back Gay Flashman to be managing editor from Channel 4’s breakfast show RI:SE.
Flashman, who was part of the 5 News launch team, was working on The Edit, Channel 5’s Saturday programme aimed at younger viewers, before she joined Channel 4’s replacement for the Big Breakfast as programme editor.
Prior to its launch in May, the programme’s makers, Princess Productions and Sky, sought to woo journalists from its rivals’ more innovative news programmes such as the BBC entertainment news programme Liquid News, and 5 News. The latter has pioneered a more youthful approach to news since its launch in 1995.
Deborah Turness, editor of 5 News, was persuaded to join the programme four days after it first went on air after launch editor Mark Killick’s surprise departure.
Under her editorship, the programme has gained credibility among the critics – but it has not retained the audiences of around 400,000 who tuned in last month when huge chunks of the show were devoted to coverage of Big Brother.
After the housemates’ departure from the Big Brother house, audiences halved to around 200,000.
Now Flashman is returning to 5 News as part of the reshuffle that has followed Turness’s departure and will replace Adrian Monck, who was made deputy editor earlier this month.
Flashman also worked at BBC Knowledge as a commissioning executive between 1999 and 2001. She will be taking up her new post next month, and will also take over as executive producer on The Edit.
"It’s a pleasure to be returning to 5 News and ITN and I’m looking forward to getting my teeth into all the challenges of a fast-paced news environment once again," said Flashman. "It’s also a great chance for me to combine hands-on programme production with ongoing management responsibilities."
Editor Gary Rogers said he was "delighted" that she was returning to the programme: "She has just the right combination of editorial flair and business skill for the managing editor’s role and I’m looking forward to working with her again," he said.
By Julie Tomlin
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