New BBC director general starts

Mr Thompson's appointment comes at a crucial time for the BBC

The BBC's new director general Mark Thompson joined the corporation on Tuesday for his first day as the replacement for Greg Dyke.

Mr Thompson, 46, had been given "early release" as Channel 4's chief executive to take up his new post.

He will host a "first day studio session", answering questions from BBC staff, at 1400BST (1300GMT).

Mr Thompson was appointed after Mr Dyke resigned in the wake of the findings of the Hutton Report earlier this year.

The former Channel 4 chief was introduced at a photocall at Television Centre in London.

Greg Dyke left the BBC in January following Lord Hutton's inquiry

Mr Mr Thompson's appointment comes during a busy time for the BBC.

It is a week before the BBC's submission to the government over the corporation's charter review and the future of the licence fee.

It is expected to deal with issues such as the way the corporation is governed and the levels of commercial activity, both of which have been subject to recent criticism.

Last month, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell praised Mr Thompson's appointment, saying he would bring renewed confidence and direction to the corporation.

The BBC agreed to pay a one-off fee to the employment search firm contracted by Channel 4 to conduct the hunt for Mr Thompson's replacement.

'One of a kind'

Mr Thompson had originally ruled himself out of becoming director general, saying he would turn down any approach from the BBC.

At a press conference on his appointment on 21 May, however, he said the job was "a one-of-a-kind opportunity".

Mark Byford, who took over following Mr Dyke's resignation in January, continued as the BBC's acting director general until Mr Thompson's arrival.

Mr Dyke and Mr Grade's predecessor Gavyn Davies left the corporation in the wake of Lord Hutton's report into events surrounding the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly.