The BBC is said to be actively considering replacements for Huw Edwards as lead anchor of its election night coverage amid ongoing uncertainty over his future at the broadcaster.
The veteran news presenter was suspended by the corporation in July after it was alleged by The Sun that he had paid a young person for images of a sexual nature.
The 62-year-old is subsequently thought to have been admitted to hospital for mental health-related issues, even though police determined that nothing illegal had taken place.
Edwards had been the go-to man for the BBC's coverage of important events, including the death of The Queen last year and the 2019 general election - and had been in line to present coverage of the next general election, which is expected to take place next autumn.
According to Deadline, the BBC has already begun planning its election coverage and is looking at options for an alternative lead presenter should Edwards not return.
The list of candidates is thought to include former political editor Laura Kuenssberg - presenter of the Sunday morning politics show - Question Time host Fiona Bruce and senior newsreader Sophie Raworth.
David Dimbleby, who hosted every general election night for the BBC from 1979 to 2017, has already ruled out a return, with the 84-year-old recently saying that it would be "completely out of the question".
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