Lesley Douglas
| Lesley Douglas | |
|---|---|
| Born |
7 June 1963 Longbenton, Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Radio executive |
| Known for | Time as Controller of BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music |
Lesley Douglas (born 7 June 1963) is a former British radio executive. She was the Controller of BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music from early 2004 until her resignation in October 2008 over The Russell Brand Show prank telephone calls row.
Lesley Douglas was born in 1963 in Longbenton, North Tyneside, where she grew up. Having an ambition to be a journalist, she chose to study English at the University of Manchester in order to be closer to the vibrant 1980s Manchester scene.
On graduation, Douglas joined the BBC as a production assistant in 1986, and began at the David Jacobs Show, later joining the promotions department. In 1988, she worked as a producer on programmes such as the Gloria Hunniford Show and Brian Matthew's Round Midnight. In 1990, she returned to the Promotions department, then in 1993, she was promoted to be Editor of Radio 2 Presentation and Planning. She became Managing Editor of Radio 2, then became Head of Programmes in 2000.
Douglas was appointed Controller of both stations on 10 October 2003 and began on 5 January 2004, succeeding James Moir. She oversaw Mark Radcliffe and Marc Riley leaving Radio 1 in April 2004 and joining her two networks later that year; the controversial appointment of Chris Evans as Drivetime presenter on 18 April 2006; and appointing equally controversial Russell Brand to 6 Music in April 2006 and overseeing his move to Radio 2 in November 2006.
She was a trustee of BBC Children in Need and sat on the Radio Times Advisory Panel.
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