David Miliband has pitched ideas for television programmes to the BBC in a move which will fuel speculation that he does not plan a rapid return to frontline politics.
The former foreign secretary has remained silent about his future plans since surprisingly losing out to his younger brother Ed in the contest for the Labour leadership last year.
But the broadcaster confirmed that the politician, who is still the MP for South Shields, "has approached the BBC with some programme ideas". "The BBC receives suggestions from a wide variety of sources and these will be considered in the same way as any others," it said in a statement.
There had been "no substantive discussions" over the proposals, it said, although The Observer reported that the MP was believed to have held informal talks with executives.
Ed Miliband repeated his hope this week that his brother, who had been the favourite to succeed Gordon Brown, would return to the political stage as a member of his shadow cabinet.
"I absolutely want him back in the shadow cabinet. He made a decision which was the right decision for him and his family, which was to stand back from frontline politics for a bit."
"Let's see what happens in the future," he said in an interview with the BBC.
The Observer quoted sources close to David Miliband insisting television programmes were "one of many things" he was considering but that he fully intended to remain an MP.
"David is talking to a range of organisations about his interest in foreign and environmental policy," a spokesman said.
Mr Miliband has already quashed speculation that he could become the UK's next ambassador to the United States - amid reports the Coalition Government was ready to offer him the role.
