TELEVISION bosses today denied reports that Burnley-born Peter Salmon is about to moved from his job as controller of BBC 1.

A spokesman for the BBC said: "Mr Salmon is not giving interviews at the moment as the pieces in the national newspapers are pure speculation."

The former pupil of St Theodore's School in Burnley took on the job of BBC1 controller in the autumn of 1997. Reports in some national newspapers say he now looks set to be given a newly created post of deputy director of television.

The suggested move is reported as a drive by BBC's new director general to revive the flagship channel which has come in for much public criticism.

Mr Salmon came under fire for turning down the chance to screen the Queen Mother's 100th birthday pageant this summer, allowing ITV to step in.

Peter, 44, was brought up in Albion Street, Burnley, the son of mill worker Doreen and window cleaner Patrick.

His rise to his current position has taken him through some of the most prestigious jobs in television.

The Warwick University graduate got his foot in the door through the BBC's graduate trainee scheme, and later worked on Newsnight, Blue Peter, and did radio reports from trouble-spots around the world.

He was a member of the original Crimewatch UK team, first as assistant producer and then producer. He also worked on 999, and brought the Oscar-winning Wallace and Gromit animation The Wrong Trousers to the small screen.

After 12 years at the Beeb he left for Granada, where his credits included Moll Flanders, Reckless and Hillsborough.

Returning to the BBC meant a move back south to Oxford, where he lives with his wife Penny and sons Michael, 13, David, 11 and five-year-old Paul.

But he gets back to Burnley when he can, and follows Burnley Football Club's every move.

He said: "I am a visitor to the North West whenever I get the opportunity because it is in my bones."

He still has family in East Lancashire, including his brother, Michael, an electrician, in Cliviger.