ITV has appointed former comedy producer Paul Jackson  as its new director of entertainment and comedy.

Jackson, who started his career making such comedies as The Young Ones, Three of a Kind and Cannon and Ball’s TV show, is currently chief executive of Granada America.

He moves to London to take up his new role as head of an expanded ITV department next month.

Hie  will be responsible for existing entertainment shows such as X Factor and I’m A Celebrity, as well as commissioning new comedy and comedy-drama programmes.

Simon Shaps, director of television at ITV, said: ‘I have worked with Paul for a number of years and know that his vast experience as a programme maker make him the ideal person for this role. This is a very significant appointment for ITV.’

Jackson said: ‘There is not a more exciting job in British television.  This is a great time to be coming back to ITV.’

David Gyngell, son of the late TV executive Bruce Gyngell, will be taking over from Jackson at  Granada America.