THE BBC is set to appoint 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.

His appointment is expected to be announced as early as this afternoon, the FT reports.

Veteran TV boss 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.

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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.

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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 declined to comment.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has been contacted for comment.

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