Martin Bashir is already known in the US

The current affairs presenter of the Tonight show is leaving ITV in July, according to the Guardian.

ITV said Bashir was still contracted to the Tonight programme but added: "We are aware he has been speaking to ABC." ABC declined to comment.

Bashir, 41, is best known for his high-profile interview with Michael Jackson which was also shown in the US on ABC.

About 14 million viewers saw Living with Michael Jackson in the UK, while 27 million people watched the programme in America.

'Admire'

ABC has been searching for someone to front its current affairs show 20/20 since Barbara Walters announced her retirement from the network.

The Guardian said Bashir's ITV contract runs out in July this year and he is expected to join ABC when Walters leaves in September.

An ABC spokesman told BBC News Online: "We admire Martin Bashir's work - but we have no comment."

Living with Michael Jackson was named programme of the year at the Royal Television Society's journalism awards on Tuesday.

The documentary caused controversy over Bashir's treatment of Jackson, who admitted he shared his bedroom with children.

Betrayed

Some fans of Jackson said the programme was unfair and misleading, especially after the release of a video clip showing Bashir praising Jackson's parenting skills.

Jackson said his trust had been betrayed because the camera crew kept filming his children against his wishes.

The singer sought an injunction to force Granada Television, which produced the show, to cut footage of his children which had not been used in the original the programme.

It was settled out of court when Granada agreed not to use any out-takes from the documentary for the time being. The case is still outstanding.