We reported yesterday that the BBC were considering axing Australian soap opera, Neighbours, from their schedule as the price per episode has risen dramatically since they signed their last contract.

It has emerged today that ITV have grasped this opportunity with both hands and have now initiated a bidding war with the BBC over the show.

The BBC currently pays £25,000 per episode of the show and was prepared to pay up to £70,000. But this might not be enough to hold onto the most popular British daytime show, as ITV have thrown a massive bid of £100,000 per episode on the table.