BBC departures leave Lambert overshadowed (again)

Poor old Stephen Lambert . His life seems to be dogged by departing BBC1 controllers. Three years ago there was the Crowngate mis-editing row, which led to him leaving independent producer RDF and the departure of BBC1 boss Peter Fincham. Then this morning was the launch of Lambert's eagerly anticipated new Channel 4 reality soap opera, Seven Days, based in Notting Hill . It featured a question and answer session with Lambert and Channel 4 deputy head of documentaries, Simon Dickson. Alas, the launch was somewhat overshadowed by the news first that BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons is leaving , then by confirmation of the worst-kept secret in television, namely that Fincham's successor, BBC1 controller Jay Hunt, is off to become Channel 4's chief creative officer . At least the Queen was not involved this time.