The BBC’s new director-general is planning to tackle perceived Left-wing bias in the corporation's comedy shows, The Telegraph can disclose.

Tim Davie believes the BBC’s comedy output is seen as too one-sided and needs a radical overhaul in the coming months, senior sources revealed.

In his first speech as director general on Thursday, Mr Davie will set out plans to restore “trust and confidence” in the BBC by better reflecting all sides of the political divide. It is expected that some of the worst-offending shows will be taken off the schedules in the longer term, senior sources said.

As well as cancelling shows altogether, BBC programme makers will be expected to find a better balance of satirical targets rather than constantly aiming jokes at the Tories. Meanwhile, comedy panel shows will be told to book guests with a wider range of views on issues like Brexit, it is understood. There is also concern that too many BBC comedy shows promote a “metropolitan” London-centric and Left-wing view of the world.