Former Coronation Street assistant producer Gavin Blyth has been announced as Anita Turner's replacement at Emmerdale.

The rural soap's new executive producer Steve Frost made the decision to appoint Blyth for his vast experience within the arena of televisual drama.

Of his choice, he said: "[Gavin] brings a wealth of drama experience plus a great knowledge of Emmerdale to the role of series producer and is ideally suited to maintaining and developing the programme."

Speaking of his appointment, Blyth commented: "Emmerdale has a great tradition of being simply unmissable television and I look forward to building on that - developing great, engaging characters and introducing compelling storylines at every turn."

Blyth began his career in soap as senior publicist at Emmerdale, before going on to become story editor in 2002 and then on to the position of script editor.

He took the opportunity to become a story associate at Coronation Street in 2005 and quickly stepped into the role of assistant producer.

During his time at Corrie, he worked alongside Weatherfield's former chief Steve Frost and the Manchester-based soap's latest leading lady Kim Crowther.

He also recently produced Coronation Street's Out of Africa DVD.

He will assume office at Emmerdale from Monday.

Last week, it was announced that Emmerdale's current series producer Anita Turner is to step down from her role after only a year. At the same time, it was revealed that executive producer of 24 years Keith Richardson was to hand over the reins to Steve Frost.


Digital Spy


He was great with OoA, so Im glad he has been given the job