The 53-year-old inherits his role at the Criterion Theatre Trust from Lord Attenborough, the previous chair of the registered charity set up in 1992.

BBC: Stephen Fry assumes theatre charity role

Mr Howard wants exam boards to stop using "criterion referencing", introduced by his party in the 1980s, which allows more than a set percentage of candidates to achieve the top grade.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Education | Tory plan to 'restore' exams