Davies chaired a BBC funding review in 1999

Kroll will later draw up a report on the interviews to help Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and cabinet ministers reach a decision - formally made by the Queen.

This is the first time that the selection process has been governed by the Nolan rules, so-called after the committee on public appointments chaired by Lord Nolan after the 1997 general election.

In accordance with the Nolan rules, the post was publicly advertised.

Jay is the daughter of former PM James Callaghan

One of the candidates, Gavyn Davies, 50, is currently BBC vice chairman. He is said to have become heavily involved with the chairmanship while chairman Sir Christopher Bland deals with the demands of his other post at British Telecom.

Another who has confirmed his interest is TV presenter David Dimbleby, 62, who has a long record of BBC experience and whose father, Richard, was also a famous BBC journalist.

Baroness Jay, 61, is a former leader of the House of Lords and worked for the BBC as a reporter on Panorama. She announced her application publicly.

Grade was formerly BBC Director of Progammes

Michael Grade, 58, who has also confirmed he is applying, is a former BBC director of TV. After a spell as chief executive at Channel 4 he took over the Pinewood film studios.

Also a confirmed candidate is John Ashworth, 62, the ex-chairman of the British Library board and a director of the Granada group.

Dame Pauline Neville-Jones, 61, is a reported late entry into the chairmanship race. She has been a BBC governor for three years and was the first female chair of the government's Joint Intelligence Committee.