The move comes as reports suggest the Conservatives could be planning a major shake-up of the corporation should they win the next election, by abolishing the licence fee.

Fiona Armstrong, 53, who became Lady MacGregor of MacGregor in 2005 after marrying clan chief Sir Malcolm, was one of the launch team on GMTV and was a reporter and presenter on ITV’s News at Ten. She is a regular contributor to ITV Tyne Tees & Borders.

Ms Badawi, 50, who was born in Sudan before coming to the UK aged two, anchored Channel 4 News with Jon Snow during the 1990s. She now works for BBC World.

Ms Somerville, 62, is a former presenter of the BBC Nine O’Clock News and ITV News At Ten, and co-presented the ITV lunchtime news until 2001.

The three women will initially present on the BBC News Channel.

The corporation has come in for public criticism over its perceived sexism and ageism. Anna Ford, 65, who left BBC News in April 2006, spoke out about her fears of being sidelined and Moira Stuart, 60, left the corporation after 30 years in 2007 after being axed from Sunday AM, fronted by Anderw Marr.

In July, there was a public outcry after Arlene Phillips, 66, was axed from the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel in favour of 31-year-old Alesha Dixon.

As the corporation moved to allay criticism, it is believed a report commissioned by David Cameron will recommend the abolition of the BBC licence fee.

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw accused Conservatives of “playing fast and loose” with Britain’s public sector broadcasting, in response to claims that a commission led by the BBC’s former director general Greg Dyke will call for the licence fee that collects £3.6 billion a year to be replaced with direct funding from general taxation, saving £100m in administrative costs.

Under the reported proposals, money saved from collecting and administering the licence fee would be used to create a “public service content fund” subsidising children’s programming and documentaries on commercial channels. A Conservative spokeswoman dismissed the claim as “speculation”.

Mr Bradshaw said abolishing the £142.50-a-year fee paid by every household with a colour TV would undermine the BBC’s independence. “The danger of funding the BBC from general taxation is that it removes a core element of the BBC’s independence and submits it to the political vagaries of the government of the day,” he said.

“The licence fee has so far commanded all-party support because it is set for several years and not part of government revenue-raising, ensuring the BBC can fulfil its duty to be vigorously independent.

“Funding the BBC from general taxation would also run the risk that future governments could raid the money for purposes other than public service broad casting.”