Dyke in running for ITV hot seat

FORMER BBC boss Greg Dyke could step in as a replacement for ITV chief executive Charles Allen within six months, say senior sources at the company.

Dyke, who quit as director-general of the BBC last Thursday in the wake of the Hutton report, has already been touted as a potential chairman of ITV, which floats on the stock market tomorrow following the full merger of Carlton and Granada.

The company must replace Michael Green, the Carlton chairman who was ousted from the ITV chairmanship by a shareholder revolt.

But senior ITV sources have ruled out adding Dyke's name to the shortlist for the chairman's post for two key reasons. First, it is intended to be a non-executive role and Dyke is regarded as a 'handson' television executive who would clash with Allen.

Secondly, Dyke's relationship with senior Labour politicians is in tatters. ITV is looking for a chairman who can smooth its path with regulators and senior politicians in the run-up to the renewal of its regional franchises next year.

However, ITV sources regard Dyke as an ideal future chief executive.

One said: 'Allen's future depends on the new chairman and if, after six months, it looks like Charles is not doing as well as he might, Dyke would be a very strong candidate to replace him. Dyke is highly regarded in the City and there would certainly be shareholder support for such a move.'

Candidates for the role of ITV chairman have yet to be interviewed by the full board of the company, though an appointment is still expected within a month.

Green, whose company Carlton no longer exists following the Granada merger, is understood to have sounded out industry figures about becoming chairman of the BBC.