Gavyn Davies was appointed chairman in 2001

Mr Davies stepped down following the Hutton Report's criticism of the BBC's reporting practices. BBC director general Greg Dyke also resigned.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said it hoped to appoint a new chairman by Easter.

The successful candidate will then help select the new director general.

Acting director general Mark Byford is favourite to replace Mr Dyke.

The Financial Times reported that Conservative MP Michael Portillo and ex-Financial Times editor Richard Lambert applied to become chairman. The DCMS would not confirm the identities of applicants.

Tessa Jowell said the selection process would be independent

When the chairman's position was advertised three years ago, 19 people applied.

A DCMS spokesman said the Easter deadline would be two months after the job was advertised.

"A longlist will be drawn up, and then they will go to a selection panel.

"The successful applicant will be recommended to ministers, who will then recommend it to the Queen, who will appoint the new chairman," the spokesman said.

Refused

The post offers a salary of £81,320 for a four-day week, the DCMS confirmed.

Tessa Jowell stressed earlier this week that Mr Davies' successor would been chosen by an independent selection panel.

But the Conservatives have refused to sit on a separate scrutiny panel, which was to be made up of privy councillors from the three main political parties, and will oversee the whole process.

The scrutiny panel will be chaired by Dame Rennie Fritchie, the Commissioner for Public Appointments, Ms Jowell said.

The DCMS has not revealed the names of those sitting on the selection panel.