Mark Thompson was approached about return to BBC as director general

Fri, 30 Jan 2026

Former chief was sounded out about applying for his old job but said he was committed to CNN, it is understood

The former BBC director general Mark Thompson was sounded out about applying for a second stint leading the corporation, the Guardian understands.

The BBC is in the process of searching for a new leader after the resignation of Tim Davie in November in the fallout from the way an edition of Panorama edited a Donald Trump speech.