15 Facts About Elaine Bedell

Elaine Bedell attended a girls' grammar school in East London, which became Valentines High School in 1977.

Elaine Bedell studied English at the University of Leeds, graduating in 1983.

Elaine Bedell began her career at the BBC in 1987, producing radio programmes such as Start the Week, Midweek, Newstand and You and Yours on BBC Radio 4.

Elaine Bedell left the BBC in 1992 and became Head of Factual Entertainment at Tiger Aspect Productions.

Elaine Bedell was bought by the Chrysalis Group in 1998, and she became managing director of Chrysalis Entertainment from 2000.

Elaine Bedell then joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2002, establishing a commercial division, Royal Shakespeare Company Enterprise Ltd.

Elaine Bedell returned to the BBC as Independent Executive, where she oversaw the relationship between BBC Television and independent production companies.

Elaine Bedell became Commissioning Editor for Features and Factual Entertainment in July 2005.

Elaine Bedell commissioned The One Show in 2006, and in Factual Entertainment she worked with Emma Swain, Adam Kemp, Richard Klein and Peter Horrocks.

Elaine Bedell joined ITV as Director of Entertainment and Comedy in March 2009.

From 2011 to 2014, Elaine Bedell was Executive Chair of the committee that manages the annual Edinburgh International Television Festival.

In 2017, Elaine Bedell was appointed CEO of the Southbank Centre.

Elaine Bedell was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to business and the arts.

Elaine Bedell is married to Clive Brill, who is a former BBC radio drama producer.

Elaine Bedell met her husband in a school play of War and Peace, playing Natasha and Pierre.