Who was Marcus Plantin? ITV’s First Network Director Dead at 77

Marcus Plantin was Britain’s ITV’s first network director. She was named ITV’s Network Head in 1992, making him the most powerful player in UK commercial TV.

“It’s so sad to hear about Marcus. I worked for him as a young producer and he was always so kind and fun and lived and loved the business. He was a brilliant first Director of Programmes at ITV – we owe him a lot and he will be missed,” ITV programs boss, Kevin Lygo said.

He produced and directed numerous shows in his 14-year career at BBC before moving to ITV affiliate London Weekend Television in 1985. He was known as a light entertainment expert and created popular shows like Blind Date. 

Marcus was a storied program maker who was known for producing the popular British comedy series The Two Ronnies and also light entertainment hits like The Generation Game. 

“Marcus was one of the great pioneers in the golden age of light entertainment. To me he was a friend a friend and mentor that I had the pleasure and privilege of working with in the latter part of his career,” Sammy Nourmand, Keshet UK boss who worked under Plantin also shared.