Peter Ball openly expressed his ambition to become a diocesan bishop for some time. In 1985 he was a candidate for the position of Bishop of Norwich. A member of the Commission said they had been under some pressure from the Prime Minister’s appointments secretary, Robin Catford (subsequently Sir Robin Catford) to appoint him.
http://survivingchurch.org/2020/01/24/reflections-on-the-life-of-bishop-peter-ball/