First woman to run BBC One

Heggessey has to protect BBC One against increasing competition

Lorraine Heggessey has been confirmed as the new controller of BBC One, replacing Peter Salmon.

Ms Heggessey, who was previously jointly in charge of the corporation's factual and learning output, is the first woman to take the post.

She is best known for her time in charge of BBC children's programming, which saw her appear on screen in 1998 to explain to viewers why Blue Peter presenter Richard Bacon - who had admitted using cocaine - was leaving the programme.

Lorraine Heggessey: The job was "irresistible"

She takes over the role on 1 November, replacing Peter Salmon, who will become the new director of BBC Sport.

BBC director of television Mark Thompson said: "Lorraine has tremendous energy and a fierce commitment to the future of BBC One.

"As well as many outstanding achievements in current affairs, science and other factual programmes, she reinvigorated BBC children's programming.

"She is a programme maker through and through, and I think she will build on Peter's many achievements with skill and imagination."

Ms Heggessey said the lure of running a channel like BBC One was "irresistible".

"It's the job I have always wanted and I'm determined to surprise and delight the audience," she added.

Her BBC career started as a news trainee in 1979, after working for local newspapers.

Peter Salmon takes on the BBC's sport portfolio in November

In her early twenties she was a producer on Panorama, before moving onto ITV's former current affairs programme This Week, and Channel 4's Hard News. She also "doorstepped" investigative reporter Roger Cook for an edition of Dispatches.

Back at the BBC, she founded "right to reply" programme Biteback and secured the first ever interview with notorious criminal "Mad" Frankie Fraser for The Underworld.

Her other credits include launching Animal Hospital, and editing the science series QED.

She was also executive producer of The Human Body, presented by Dr Robert Winston, which won numerous awards.

The post of BBC One controller is considered one of the most challenging and sensitive jobs.

She will have to maintain ratings and programme quality in the face of rapidly increasing competition from other channels.

With Jane Root in charge of BBC Two, both of the corporation's main TV channels are now run by women.