Mark Gorton joined Granada television in his mid twenties as a researcher. He subsequently became a presenter on Granada’s nightly programme Granada Reports as well as other regional programmes including On the Market.

He later moved to the entertainment department as a producer before being appointed Head of Entertainment Development. He also produced The Mrs Merton Show and the pilot of The Royle Family, winning a BAFTA award for the former. Mark left Granada in 1997 to co-found Multi Media Arts.