Dyke to present BBC's news quiz

Greg Dyke left the BBC in January

Former BBC director general Greg Dyke is to host topical news quiz Have I Got News For You.

Dyke, who resigned from his post in the wake of the Hutton Report in January, will present the second show of the new series, to be screened on 23 April.

A BBC spokeswoman said they always looked for guest hosts in the public eye and added: "Greg is available."

The show has been without a permanent host since Angus Deayton was sacked from the job in October 2002.

Commenting on Mr Dyke's future appearance, the spokeswoman said: "We think he'll be a good host and it's great to see him back at the BBC."

Previous guest presenters have included teenage singer Charlotte Church

The popular satirical news quiz has had a number of famous guest hosts since Deayton left the show.

They include former Conservative leader William Hague, Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy and Anne Robinson.

Even golden-voiced Charlotte Church featured as the show's youngest host last year.

The regular team captains are still Ian Hislop and Paul Merton.

Television Corporation

Meanwhile Mr Dyke has been linked with the chairmanship of Television Corporation - a job being vacated by the BBC's incoming chairman Michael Grade.

He is understood to be on the shortlist for the position at the company, which produces Question Time, Channel 4 cricket and the BBC's horse racing coverage.

A spokesman would not confirm Mr Dyke is in the running but said: "Greg Dyke is a fantastic figure in broadcasting and I am sure a number of companies are interested in him."

TV Corp is "making good progress" in the search for a new chairman, he added.

Mr Grade leaves the company on 16 May and joins the BBC the following day.