Myfanwy Moore, UK Controller of Comedy Production, is to leave the BBC.

She told her colleagues the following this afternoon: "I have decided to take off my comedy bow tie, and leave the department. It's been a privilege working with so many talented people on and off screen, at one of the best and most exciting broadcasters in the world. Just in the time I’ve been here, we’ve produced an astonishing Comic Relief, festive specials for two spellbinding Christmas’s, around 300 hours of Radio, and well over 80 hours of Television. We’ve been nominated for over 90 awards across TV and Radio, and to date have won 35. Keep up the Good Work sounds like an understatement.

It's a personal decision. This is a hearts and minds job. Quite rightly. But after overseeing the department, and leading the initial charge into Studios, it feels like it's time to oversee something a little closer to home. Like my home. I've had great support while I've been working here, and I leave that community with a heavy heart. In the longer term I’ll be looking at working on more specific projects. I want to thank all of you for your hard work and belief in good comedy as a thing that has value, and brings joy. Please know you face a brilliant future in BBC Studios. I'm around for the next month. Big love. XM."

Moore is one of the most experienced, influential names in TV comedy. She was Editor of New Comedy, BBC Comedy, between 1997 and 2005 (with one year out spent at UKPlay), where her department worked with a wide range of performers and writers and was responsible getting Little Britain onto television. Further executive producer credits included Rock Profiles, The Mitchell and Webb Situation, The Dave Gorman Collection, Attention Scum and The Full Mountie with Jack Dee.

She had previously left the BBC to work for ITV where she commissioned Birds of a Feather, Plebs, Vicious and The Job Lot, but returned in a more senior role last year.

No announcement of a successor has been made yet.