Ofcom is reported to have selected six candidates for the role of chief executive, ahead of the imminent departure of Stephen Carter from the role.

Favourite among them is Ed Richards, currently Ofcom's chief operating officer. Richards joined Ofcom from launch as its first strategy director, and was promoted last July, working as Carter's second-in-command.

Richards was integral in the development of what became the 2003 Communications Act, advising Tony Blair on broadband and new media issues.

Other Ofcom executives Kip Meek and Sean Williams have also applied for the job, which has a £400k salary. Meek sits on Ofcom's content board while Williams is an expert in competition issues. The three other unknown candidates are from outside Ofcom.

Ofcom has been under the spolight for some months now, with uncertainty over its future leadership and unresolved decisions over junk food advertising in children's programming.

Speculation over Carter replacing Charles Allen as chief executive at broadcaster ITV has been rife since Allen announced his departure in summer.