New Director-General of BBC George Entwistle Blamed for Diamond Jubilee Fiasco

George Entwistle, appointed to replace Mark Thompson as Dircector-General of the BBC, was heavily criticised for his handling of the Queen's diamond jubilee celebrations.

As BBC Vision Director Entwistle faced the wrath of newspapers, celebrities and even former executives about the four days of diamond jubilee coverage that he helmed.

The BBC also received thousands complaints from viewers and listeners about its jubilee coverage, with the vast majority about the Thames pageant.

Actor and writer Stephen Fry said of the Thames pageant on Twitter that the BBC's jubilee coverage was "mind-numbingly tedious" and that he "expected better of the Beeb".

However, the debacle proved not to undermine his career prospects, although the diamond jubilee coverage has been air-brushed out of various profiles put out by the BBC.

Announcing the appointment, BBC Trust Chairman Lord Patten said: "George is a creative leader for a creative organisation."

The BBC Trust said Mr Entwistle would be paid an annual salary of £450,000.

It is a smaller figure than the £671,000 earned by Mr Thompson.

Having grown up in Yorkshire, Mr Entwistle studied Philosopy and Politics at Durham University before starting his career at Haymarket Magazines as a writer and magazine editor.