CLARETS fan Peter Salmon has followed in the footsteps of his Turf Moor idols - by getting promoted.

The television boss has taken on a new role as the BBC’s director for England, which will see him in charge of the broadcaster’s sites in Salford, Birmingham and Bristol.

Mr Salmon, 58, previously oversaw the migration of some of the corporation’s departments from London to Salford.

The former St Mary Magdalene RC Primary School and St Theodore’s RC High School pupil’s new job will see him given ‘responsibility for leading creativity, collaboration and local partnerships’.

The keen Claret, who is married to the actress Sarah Lancashire, will earn £387,900 per year for his new role.

Mr Salmon, the BBC’s director for the north since 2008, said: ''Over the last few years the BBC has helped build a strong broadcasting and production community in Salford and the north of England.

“Now I’m looking forward to working with BBC teams in Birmingham and Bristol to forge even better relationships with our audiences and build new partnerships across the country to make sure our key bases keep making great content, develop great people and have a thriving future.

“As with our move to Salford an increase of jobs in Birmingham can help us with property savings in London so we can spend more on the services our audiences enjoy.”

He will work alongside Alice Webb, the BBC’s chief operating officer for England, and will be responsible for the BBC Academy, its training and development body.

Mr Salmon’s CV includes spells working on Blue Peter, Newsnight and BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat, before he rose to become controller of BBC One in 1997 and his appointment as chief creative officer of BBC Vision Productions in 2006.