The frontrunners set to replace BBC Director-General Tim Davie

Mr Davie insisted that he was leaving the corporation over “the very intense personal and professional demands of managing this role over many years in these febrile times”.

His announcement follows the findings that BBC Panorama 'misled' viewers after it was found to have edited footage of Trump's January 6 'insurrection speech'.

The findings led to a double resignation, as News CEO Deborah Turness announced her departure - a move that sparked suggestions of a rift at the very top of the corporation.

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A role that's no doubt set to come under increasing scrutiny in the coming months, the Director-General's current salary - coming in at just over £500,000 - is overshadowed by pay cheques being dished out across the private sector.

But with Mr Davie and Ms Turness gone, a big-name promotion from within the BBC looks all but off the cards.

Ms Turness was Davie's natural successor, with the Director-General the corporation's sole figurehead with no deputy to speak of.

But after the house of cards-style collapse, senior executive Kate Phillips appears to be one of the sole survivors.

The chief content officer is a relative newcomer to the corporation, having only taken up the position in June of 2025, leading to suggestions a step-up would be unlikely.

Another name thrown into the ring alongside Ms Phillips is Charlotte Moore, who took up the role of chief content officer for five years before her departure this summer.

Moving to an executive position at Left Bank Pictures, her current role involves overseeing the film and TV production company owned by Sony.

Former BBC1 controller Jay Hunt could also be in the running, having made the move to senior executive at Apple TV.

Former Times editor James Harding has also had his name thrown into the ring, having previously held the position of Director of News and Current Affairs at the corporation.

It comes after he previously insisted that the BBC is “not institutionally antisemitic,” telling the Edinburgh TV Festival: "I am Jewish, proudly so."

“I’m proud, too, to have worked for the most important news organisation in the world,“ he said, adding: "The BBC is not institutionally antisemitic. It’s untrue to say it is.”

Carolyn McCall, chief executive of ITV, is a name that's also been thrown into the hat, alongside former Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon.

Ms Mahon quit Channel 4 over the summer, taking on a new role as the new CEO of Superstruct Entertainment - one of the world’s largest music festival operators.

Another potential candidate in the running is Jane Turton - the current CEO of All3Media and a former ITV executive.

Leading the production company behind hits including The Traitors and Fleabag, Ms Turton's proven expertise could be exactly what the corporation is after following a period of intense scrutiny.

Having joined All3Media as Deputy Chief Operating Officer in 2008, her rise to COO was rapid, before settling into the seat of CEO in 2015.

Her background at ITV as Director of Commercial and Business Affairs, alongside positions as Director of Business Affairs at ITV Studios could position her as a frontrunner.

Samir Shah, Chairman of the BBC, announced Ms Turness' departure on Sunday.

In a statement, he wrote: "I want to thank Deborah for her leadership of BBC News over the past three years. She has transformed the operation of News with real commitment and a clear vision of the future.

"She has acted with integrity in challenging circumstances and leaves a strong legacy from which to build for the many millions around the world who rely on and trust the voice of BBC News every day."

Ms Turness' exit alongside Davies leaves the corporation in limbo, with the Director-General's successor remaining unclear.