Former BAA Mike Clasper has ruled himself out of the race to become ITV's next CEO.

Clasper, who was widely thought to have been preferred by ITV's board to succeed Charles Allen, said late Friday night that "[t]he speculation that I have thrown my hat into the ring for the CEO role is incorrect."

"I believe that I can contribute most effectively to the continuing success of ITV in my current role as a non-executive director," he added.

A number of names, ranging from former Ofcom chief executive Stephen Carter to UIP chairman and CEO Stewart Till, are still thought to be under consideration by the ITV board.