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.
