BBC man 'tipped' for Channel 4

Mark Thompson: Favourite to take over at Channel 4

Mark Thompson, the BBC's director of television, has been tipped by the press as the likely replacement for Channel 4 boss Michael Jackson.

Many of Tuesday's newspapers discussed who they believe are likely candidates to succeed Jackson, with one or two unusual suggestions.

Thompson emerged as the front-runner, having been mentioned in five separate papers.

Tipped for the top

Mark Thompson
BBC director of television

Tim Gardam
Channel 4 director of programmes

Dawn Airey
Channel 5 executive

Peter Bazalgette
Endemol UK creative director

David Brook
Channel 4 director of strategy

David Liddiment
ITV director of rogrammes

Tim Gardam, Channel 4's director of programmes, ran Thompson a close second with four mentions.

Several candidates tied for third place with three mentions each including Channel 5's chief executive Dawn Airey, Endemol UK Creative Director Peter Bazalgette, and ITV Director of Programmes David Liddiment.

Although the newspapers are merely speculating on who might be the next chief executive of Channel 4, their informed guesses will cause a stir.

They also suggested Alan Yentob, the BBC's controller of entertainment, drama and children's, as well as former Channel 5 boss David Elstein.

Channel 5's Dawn Airey: Three mentions from press

The Independent believes Kevin Lygo, the former entertainment controller at Channel 4, was in with a chance as was BBC Two's current controller Jane Root.

And The Times mooted John Willis, the former director of programmes at Channel 4, as a possibility. He narrowly missed out when Jackson was appointed four years ago.