Former Pearson TV chief executive joins Pop Idol creator in non-executive role
Former Pearson TV chief executive Richard Eyre has taken up a non-executive role at Pop Idol creator 19 TV, writes Steve Aston

Eyre, who has not held a full-time TV job since quitting RTL-owned Pearson a year ago, is to work with 19 TV on a series of music projects. A former Capital Radio chief executive, he is the latest senior figure to join the company, owned by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller. Last March the company poached LWT controller of entertainment Nigel Lythgoe to head its TV arm.

Eyre said: 'I am choosing my non-executive involvements with care. Music is my passion and 19 is a creative first mover.'

The post is the second part-time role Eyre has taken since leaving Pearson (now Thames TV). He joined leading indie RDF as chairman in June last year.

Meanwhile, 19 TV is close to striking a licensing deal with Fox for a 22-episode American version of Pop Idol.