Hall 'passionate' about the BBC

Greg Dyke, the BBC’s former director general, says Lord Patten must be reined back as chairman of the BBC Trust.

In an article for the Daily Telegraph, he wrote:

The crisis-hit BBC appointed a new Director-General today, Tony Hall - a former Director of BBC News - has vowed to drag the broadcaster out of it's current difficulties, saying, "I know we can get through this".

Lord Hall replaces George Entwistle, who survived in the job for just 54 days.

He resigned in the wake of the Sir Jimmy Savile scandal and after false allegations were made about a former senior Conservative MP on the BBC's Newsnight programme.

ITV News Correspondent Juliet Bremner reports on the new man at the top:

The Chairman of the BBC Trust, Lord Patten, has said that the appointment of Tony Hall as new Director General of the BBC was based on his experience in news and being a "considerable figure" in the British cultural world.

The newly-appointed BBC Director-General said he cares "passionately" about the BBC, and said "I know we can get through" the tough times.

Speaking about George Entwistle's recent departure from the role of Director-General, BBC Trust Chairman Lord Patten said he was assured that his pay-out deal was in the "best interests" of the BBC and the licence fee payer.

BBC Trust Chairman Lord Patten said Tony Hall is the "outstanding candidate" for the role of Director-General, adding the appointment process was "not driven by external pressure".

The newly-appointed BBC Director-General Tony Hall told a news conference, "I am absolutely committed to our news operation as an absolute world beater".

"Likewise I'm committed to ensuring in every way that I can that the best and the brightest ... come and want to work in this place", he continued.

Lord Hall added, "I want to build a world class team for this world class organisation".

The next BBC Director-General Tony Hall called the BBC "an extraordinary organisation" that is "an essential part of the UK, of Britain, of who we are".

Lord Hall said, "It's been a tough few weeks for the organisation. I know we can get through it, by listening patiently, by thinking carefully about what to do next".

The newly-appointed BBC Director-General Tony Hall said, "It takes a lot to drag me away from the Royal Opera House ... but the reason I stand before you today is that I care passionately about the BBC, about what it can do, it's programme makers and the impact we have in all different ways".