With just a week until the return of Question Time, host David Dimbleby still has yet to sign a new contract with the BBC.
Production of the flagship BBC1 show has moved to Glasgow as part of a BBC initiative to make 50% of its content outside the capital by 2016.
Dimbleby is upset about the move and has declined to sign a new contract, although he is in talks to present a new landmark BBC1 series about the history of British television.
It is understood other issues have also dogged negotiations, including which key political and state events Dimbleby has been offered by the BBC.
Although he has not signed a new contract, Dimbleby will continue to host Question Time and it is understood that he will be paid on a show-by-show basis. One source said: "David has still not signed but he will return as host."
Question Time is returning on 8 September with a new editor, the former editor of BBC Radio Scotland's breakfast programme, Nicolai Gentchev, after the previous editor Ed Havard left following the announcement of the move to Scotland.
The first show will be broadcast from London, before moving to venues around the country including Salford and Winchester.
Despite the show's production being moved to Glasgow, viewers are not expected to notice any difference on screen when Question Time returns, apart from in the closing credits.
A BBC spokesman said: "We do not comment on individuals' contracts."
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