A tug-of-war for viewers' favourite Jackie is underway - and if the Beeb lose out again it will be another bitter pill to swallow after losing their coveted Northern Ireland football TV rights to the satellite broadcaster.

SKY paid a staggering £10 million earlier this year to oust the Beeb and secure the rights to screen Northern Ireland's home internationals for four years from September 2008.

The mega deal also includes live TV coverage of five local Irish League matches in the 2007/08 season - starting with champions Linfield's trip to Cliftonville on Monday, September 24, providing the Solitude floodlights pass the SKY Sports test.

SKY, naturally, want a ratings-winning, top line presenter to front their new showcase - and in Fullerton they've gone for the Beeb's No1 household TV sports name.

The veteran former Ballymena United, Crusaders and Glenavon player has been the chief Northern Ireland football broadcaster for over 30 years.

He was the obvious target with SKY determined to place an instantly recognisable Northern Ireland accent behind their microphone but many in the business thought they were aiming too high with Fullerton.

The popular terrace and media figure has been with the Beeb for 15 years since his move from UTV, but now the BBC have lost the rights to show Northern Ireland games, Fullerton may decide his future lies away from Ormeau Avenue.

BBC bosses haven't given up hope of keeping their much loved sports broadcaster, who they unceremoniously dumped from presenting Newsline only a few years ago to a public outcry.

Fullerton was last night reluctant to talk about the speculation but admitted: "Yes, I've had talks with Sky and now I plan to have talks with my BBC bosses later this week. It is very tempting but there is a lot to be considered."

If Fullerton is lured to SKY, he will join 1982 World Cup hero Gerry Armstrong, who currently works on SKY's excellent Spanish football shows, in the commentary box for the five Irish League matches and Northern Ireland internationals.

Should Fullerton turn down the offer, Sunday Life understands Bangor-born Mark Robson, another top class sports broadcaster, could then be in the frame.

Robson, formerly of UTV fame and who now commentates for SKY on Heineken Cup rugby, is believed to have been sounded out about the possibililty of returning to his Northern Ireland roots.