'Jonathan Dimbleby' final series; Meet the Reporters Jan 06

Yesterday's Evening Standard also had a big interview with Crossley-Holland. Dimbleby is still in talks with ITV about his future role.

ITV's new Sunday morning political format, which will replace Jonathan Dimbleby from next year, is to be called Meet the Reporters - a discussion show in which well-known journalists and columnists grill senior politicians.

The new programme will see respected political reporters such as The Observer's Andrew Rawnsley and The Guardian's Michael White invited into the studio to join in with a "well-known" host, possibly Jonathan Dimbleby, to question prominent politicians.

Meet the Reporters will also bring in celebrities, civil servants and businessmen in a bid to take a "less formal" approach than the Jonathan Dimbleby programme did. It will launch in a new 10.30am slot from the spring.

ITV is insisting that the programme will still feature a long-form interview with top politicians. ITV controller of current affairs, arts and religion Dominic Crossley-Holland has put the contract for the programme out to tender with about eight production companies in the running, believed to include Granada and Question Time producer Mentorn.

Producers have been told that the programme should widen the scope of "traditional" political coverage and the programme will go out on the road, with more location work than its predecessor.

The programme will also attempt to pull in the most sought after guests and set the news agenda. Crossley-Holland said the programme should be a well-informed "must-watch" programme of record.