Michael Green could be back at the helm of ITV as early as next year, according to newspaper reports at the weekend.

The Carlton chairman was publicly ousted by shareholders as the ITV chairman-elect last month but by involving himself in a US takeover bid he could still realise his ambitions of running the UK's largest commercial broadcaster.

Green is rumoured to be "looking at the possibility" of teaming up with old friend Haim Saban, a wealthy US media entrepreneur who has previously expressed interest in taking over ITV.

Any such bid - which would have to be around £5 billion - could be made as early as next year.