Three quarters of people want the BBC licence fee abolished, a new poll reveals, as a former Ofcom chair called for the introduction of a subscription model.

The survey also showed that more than six in 10 would support decriminalisation where people fail to pay the fee.

It follows Boris Johnson’s pledge to review the corporation’s handling of non-payment, amid a feud with the BBC that has seen Downing Street boycott flagship programmes.

The new poll of 1,000 people by Public First, commissioned as part of Radio 4's Today on Saturday, which was guest edited by Charles Moore, indicates that support for abolishing the £154.50-a-year tax - 74 per cent over all - was higher among younger than older respondents.

Seventy-eight per cent of those aged 18 to 24 favoured abolition, compared to 64 per cent of those aged over 65.

Reforming the funding model also received support from the majority of both Leave and Remain voters, 81 and 64 per cent respectively.

The licence fee is currently guaranteed by Parliament in the form of a Royal Charter until 2027.

However, its level is only set until 2022, from which point a new five-year agreement is needed.

Dame Patricia Hodgson, who chaired the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom from 2014 to 2017, called for a change of funding model.