Heat editor Julian Linley switches to Bauer for TV plans

Julian Linley is to step down as editor of Heat magazine after just one year in the role.

According to a press release, Linley will leave his current role a week on Monday and move to the newly-created position of creative director for Bauer Media's lifestyle and entertainment division.

Linley took on the editorship in June last year to replace former editor Mark Frith. He joined the title in 2000 as deputy editor and was responsible for its website, Heatworld.com, from 2007.

As part of his new position, he will head up several broadcasting projects for the publisher.

The new plans follow Bauer's previous departures into television production including spin-off programmes based around magazine titles FHM and Closer.

Bauer Media already has production arrangements with Endemol, Prospect Pictures and Talkback Thames. It also has two projects currently in development, known as 'Project Tower' and 'Project Jackpot', the release confirmed.

Linley has been heavily involved in 'Project Tower', which has been in development with Endemol over the last 12 months, and has 'a firm offer on the table from a major broadcaster', the company said. According to a Media Guardian report, this project will be based around Heat.

'Project Jackpot' will be based around one of Bauer's 'key brands' and there is a pilot programme in production.

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