MUMBAI: Tom Barnicoat, chief operating officer of television format owner and distributor Endemol, has resigned, the company announced today.

Endemol, best known as the creator of the Big Brother format, offered no explanations as to the reasons for Barnicoat's departure except to state that he would be stepping down with immediate effect.

The responsibilities of Barnicoat will be taken over by other members of the Endemol management board until further notice.

Barnicoat was previously Endemol UK CEO. He was appointed Endemol COO in January 2005.

Barnicoat will receive a severance and pension payout of ?2.79 million (? 2,599,999 and ? 191,042 respectively).