Fremantle has announced that Andrew Llinares will step down from his position as Director of Global Entertainment this spring.

Since taking on the London-based role in January 2023, reporting directly to Jennifer Mullin, Fremantle’s Group CEO, Llinares has played a central role in leading and shaping Fremantle’s global entertainment portfolio and its format development. In 2025, Fremantle Entertainment delivered 345 commissions and 302 productions, across 62 territories.

Llinares’ association with Fremantle spans more than two decades. He was the original showrunner on The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent during their UK launches in 2004 and 2007 respectively, while heading the Thames/Syco co-production unit. In 2011, while based in the US, he served as Executive Producer and showrunner of The X Factor USA. He later became Executive Producer and showrunner of Dancing with the Stars in 2018 – a format that continues to see long-running success on ABC and Disney+.

Following his departure, the Fremantle Global Entertainment division and leadership team will report to Mullin on an interim basis.

Mullin commented: “Andrew is a visionary creative. I have been extremely fortunate to work closely with him over many years – both in his current leadership role and during his time as a creative executive producer and showrunner. He has been responsible for developing some of the most iconic and successful entertainment shows ever made. I have proudly watched him nurture new creative formats, bring them to life on screen, and in doing so help unlock talent both behind and in front of the camera. In his current executive position, Andrew has further strengthened Fremantle’s unrivalled portfolio and championed the development of emerging formats, while leading our brilliant Global Entertainment team. I fully appreciate and support Andrew’s decision to return to his real creative passion – making shows again. Although he will be deeply missed, we all wish him the very best for the future, and I am certain our collaboration will continue.”

Llinares added: “Firstly, I want to thank Jennifer Mullin for her friendship, support, and inspirational mentorship – including giving me the opportunity to experience another side of this incredible industry. I have been inspired by working within the Fremantle Global Leadership Team and seeing the industry through a wider strategic lens. But I feel the time is right for me to return to my first love – making shows and being creative myself. This has been a very difficult decision. Fremantle is an exceptional company with exceptional teams around the world, who I believe are the very best in the industry. It has been an honour to work with them all and our amazing Global Entertainment Team – I know our paths will cross again. I’ve loved every moment, but I couldn’t ignore the creative itch to get back to making content myself. Now it’s on to the next creative adventure.”

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Tags: ABC, Britain’s Got Talent, Disney, Fremantle, the x factor