BBC to 'hold talks' with Vaughan over return after being cleared in racism case

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Michael Vaughan working for the BBC last year
Michael Vaughan working for the BBC last year

Former England captain Michael Vaughan is reportedly set to hold talks over a return to the BBC.

Vaughan, 48, has not worked for the BBC since he was charged by the ECB last year for allegedly using racist language towards Yorkshire teammates. Last week, he was cleared of racism with the charge 'not proved' by the Cricket Discipline Commission.

He had worked as a commentator for Test Match Special since 2009 and was initially suspended when the allegations came to light. Vaughan returned to work last year but announced plans to 'step back' after emails were sent from BBC diversity groups slamming his continued employment.

The Times reports Vaughan could return for England's next Test against Ireland in June as they step up their preparations for this summer's Ashes.

He will soon travel to India to work on the Indian Premier League, which reaches its conclusion on May 28, after some time in Augusta to watch the Masters.

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A BBC spokesperson said: “We note the findings by the Cricket Discipline Commission in relation to Michael Vaughan. Michael is not currently under contract with the BBC, although we have remained in touch with him throughout the process."

Vaughan vowed to 'create positive change in cricket' when he discussed the verdicts reached by the Cricket Discipline Commission on Friday, insisiting there had been "no winners" in the incident.

BBC to 'hold talks' with Vaughan over return after being cleared in racism caseFormer England captain Michael Vaughan was cleared of racism (JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

And the 2005 Ashes winner admitted he feared his life would be over, had he been found guilty of using racist language.

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, he said: “I got a sense people wanted to see the back of me. When I was walking the streets during the night, I genuinely was thinking, ‘I’ll have to do without English cricket. I’ll have to move overseas.’ I’ve been telling people that I’ve not been watching cricket, putting this screen up to suggest that I could do without it. But cricket is my life. It’s all I really know.”

Vaughan also suggested he had thought about moving to Australia, due to the lack of support he has received from inside his home country, adding: "When you think about my time in English cricket, I feel I’ve given a half-decent service. But there has been more support from Australia than there has from here in the UK, in terms of cricket. "

Liam Prenderville

BBC Sport, Test Match Special, Michael Vaughan, England and Wales Cricket Board, The Ashes

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