By Jack Doyle Olympics supremo Sebastian Coe is in line to be the next  chairman of the BBC, it emerged last night. The former track star and London 2012 chief is the frontrunner to replace Lord Patten, who stood down three weeks ago after heart surgery. Downing Street refused to comment on the report first made by ITV News but Whitehall sources last night confirmed Lord Coe is the leading candidate. Whitehall sources claim that Lord Coe, pictured, is the leading contender to replace Chris Patten as chairman of the BBC Trust London Mayor Boris Johnson appeared to inadvertently confirm the story  when he said that Lord Coe was a ‘first-rate choice’.
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Tory peer refuses to deny reports he has been chosen to head BBC Trust
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London 2012 mastermind says he is flattered by reports linking him to job
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Boris Johnson says Lord Coe a 'first rate choice' and hails 'fantastic news'
Unlike Lord Patten, he is seen as a ‘true @placeholder’ in his beliefs.