Bbc bosses are furious after ITV rescheduled the X Factor final to clash with its Sports Personality of the Year awards.

The popular BBC ceremony has been in a similar Sunday position for the past 20 years.

But it will now take on The X Factor finale as the results show has been extended into a second part on December 13 instead of later on the Saturday evening.

A bbc spokesman said: “It’s a real shame ITV chose to change the date as it will now clash.”

But ITV hit back by saying the shows were for different audiences. It added: “It has always been our intention the X Factor live shows would run on Saturdays and Sundays through the current series.”