Speculation rife over Heggessey's BBC future

Speculation is abound that BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey is preparing to quit her post to take up a new job offer.

Heggessey is widely tipped to be the replacement for Peter Fincham at the head of Talkback Thames, the company behind shows such as The Bill and How Clean Is Your House?

Although she has insisted she is "focussed" on her job at BBC One, a senior source told Broadcast that she "will probably be gone by June."

Potential successors for Heggessey at the BBC include Jane Tranter, controller of drama commissioning; Stuart Murphy, controller of BBC Three; and Alison Sharman, head of daytime.

Heggessey was appointed as BBC One controller in 2000, making her the channel's first female controller in its history.