BBC appoints Samir Shah as new boss after ex-chairman Richard Sharp resigned earlier this year

THE BBC has appointed Samir Shah as its new boss after ex-chairman Richard Sharp resigned earlier this year.

Shah, 70, previously worked as the BBC's head of current affairs and was responsible for its political coverage.

Dr Shah revealed his new role this afternoon.

He: "I am delighted to be named the preferred candidate for chair of the BBC and I look forward to the upcoming pre-appointment hearing with the select committee.

"The BBC is, without doubt, one of the greatest contributions we have made to global culture and one of our strongest calling cards on soft power.

"If I am able to put what skills, experience, and understanding of public service broadcasting I have built up during my career to help this brilliant organisation meet the complex and diverse challenges it faces over the coming years, it would be an honour.

"The BBC has a great place in British life and a unique duty to reach a wide audience right across the country and I will do all I can to ensure it fulfils this in an increasingly competitive market."

A BBC spokesperson said: "We welcome the announcement that Samir Shah has been selected as the Government's preferred candidate to take up the role of BBC chair and look forward to him joining the board once the formal process has been completed."

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer had given her official backing to Shah in a statement this afternoon.

She said: "With a career spanning more than 40 years in TV production and journalism, Dr Shah has a wealth of experience to bring to the position of BBC Chair.

";He has a clear ambition to see the BBC succeed in a rapidly changing media landscape.

"I have no doubt he will provide the support and scrutiny that the BBC needs to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future."

Veteran TV boss Shah was born in India and moved to England in 1960.

He was awarded a CBE for services to Television and Heritage in the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours.

Shah has previously slammed the BBC's "monolithic posture that makes it appear anti-competitive".

The BBC chair is chosen by the government and officially signed off by the prime minister.

Their job is to be an intermediary between the government and the BBC - and comes with a £160,000 salary.

If Shah's appointment goes ahead, he will be tasked with renegotiating the licence fee.

Ministers reportedly plan to set the licence fee at the lowest rate possible.

Shah will also have to handle the BBC's investigation into Tim Westwood and other scandals involving its presenters.

It comes after ex-chairman Richard Sharp quit when a probe found he had breached public appointment rules.

Sharp had failed to declare that he helped then-PM Boris Johnson get an £800,000 loan.

Other candidates to replace Sharp reportedly included Dame Elan Closs Stephens.

Many candidates are said to have turned down the job after being tapped by headhunters.

The BBC said: "We welcome the announcement that Samir Shah has been selected as the Government’s preferred candidate to take up the role of BBC Chair.

"We look forward to him joining the Board once the formal process has been completed."