Mark Wright is apparently caught up in a TV “tug of war” as rival channels BBC and ITV fight to sign him up.

The former The Only Way Is Essex star defeated the odds to make it through to the final of Strictly Come Dancing after proving popular with BBC viewers and, according to The Sun, the channel would like to keep him.

But Mark already presents shows for ITV, including Take Me Out spin-off The Gossip on ITV2, and recently worked on the latest Christmas specials of Surprise Surprise with Holly Willoughby.

Mark Wright
Mark Wright hosts Take Me Out The Gossip on ITV2 (ITV)

Mark told the newspaper: “I have just filmed Take Me Out, which will run for 10 weeks, and I have meetings about projects from a few channels, including ITV and BBC.

“I want to make a documentary about abuse in care homes.

“My uncle was put in a care home about six months ago, so it is personal for me.

“I was really upset by seeing the stories about abuse and although my uncle is fine and nothing like that has happened to him, it made me want to do a documentary.”

An ITV source added: “ITV have been good to Mark. They will hope he stays loyal. That said, if he wants to start making more serious programmes they may be a better fit on another channel.”

Mark Wright and fiancee Michelle Keegan
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan (Ian West/PA Wire)

Mark – who is set to marry former Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan next year – is signed up to take part in the Strictly live tour, which begins in Birmingham, in January.