Watch out for an incognito Michael Grade lurking at the Jongleurs comedy club. The ITV boss yesterday revealed that he has been personally scouting for prime-time talent in “surprising places”.

An improved performance by the flagship ITV1 suggests that “Mr Showbusiness” is already tackling a lacklustre schedule.

With Ant & Dec locked down, the promise of a revitalised, nonformulaic drama schedule and a Champions League final expected to attract 13 million viewers, ITV is recovering its on-screen grasp of the popular pulse.

Although the advertising revenue figures merely offered repeat viewing for shareholders, there are signs that the corner can be turned over the next six months.

Finally, an ITV with a strong digital channels portfolio, online video-on-demand presence and a valuable international production business is beginning to emerge from the creative caution of the postmerger years.

However, the hard-won reestablishment of trust with ITV’s audience could easily be dashed by any repeat of the phone-in quiz scandal, which has seriously damaged viewer confidence in an area identified as a lucrative new revenue stream.

The top-line executive team Mr Grade said he is now seeking to recruit, possibly including Dawn Airey, should take a closer interest in operations that move the company far beyond traditional programme-making.

Even ITV’s star names need executive oversight. Simon Cowell eagerly snapped up a £20 million golden handcuffs deal. Yesterday, he admitted his disappointing Grease Is The Word series had been “slaughtered by the critics – and rightly so. It is far too similar to our other formats”.

Let’s hope Britain’s Got Talent, his summer venture, offers the innovation that Mr Grade promised.

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