Mr Mark Thompson has been appointed the BBC 's new director general, the corporation announced today.
The Channel 4 chief executive has been the bookmakers' favourite, despite saying last month he would turn down "any approach" from the BBC. Mr Thompson (46) takes the job which was held by Mr Greg Dyke until he resigned in the aftermath of the Hutton report.
Mr Thompson beat several other candidates said to include internal BBC figures Mr Mark Byford, acting director general; Ms Jenny Abramsky, director of radio; and Mr John Willis, director of factual programming.
Mr Thompson joined Channel 4 as chief executive more than two years ago. Before the move to he was considered a BBC lifer after 20 years at the corporation.
Mr Thompson from editor of the acclaimed Panoramaprogramme to editor of the Nine O'Clock News to controller of BBC2 and finally director of television.
He left the corporation in March 2002 after what was described as cutting a "glittering swathe through the BBC".
He is said to have not applied for the director general job when it was advertised. Only last month he said: "I intend to stay at Channel 4. I will turn down any approach from the BBC ."
PA