Channel 4's head of drama Yorke could return to BBC

According to a reports, the former BBC executive producer, who jumped ship to join Channel 4 last year, is in negotiations with the BBC and is being tipped to rejoin the corporation in January.

A move back to the BBC as head of drama series would entail a senior commissioning role, as well as overseeing channel stalwarts 'EastEnders', 'Casualty' and 'Holby City'.

Yorke is believed to have held talks with Channel 4 director of programmes Kevin Lygo.

The departure of three BBC senior executives -- controller of continuing series Mal Young and head of drama series development Serena Cullen to Simon Fuller's 19TV, and head of drama commissioning Gareth Neame to production company Carnival -- has hit the corporation's creative talent pool.

'EastEnders' executive producer Louise Berridge also handed in her notice last month, amid a poor ratings run for the soap, which saw audiences fall to an all-time low of 6m.

Insiders say the BBC is in urgent need of a surge of creative talent and Yorke, who spent two-and-a-half years at the corporation before leaving to join Channel 4 in March last year, is seen by some as the man for the job.

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