Virgin Media has been tipped to be the likely buyer for broadband provider Pipex in the UK according to reports online.

Pipex has been put up for sale since the beginning of the month after hiring investment bank UBS to carry out a sale of the company.

However Virgin could have a fight on its hands as BT, Carphone Warehouse, and Sky are all expected to submit offers ahead of the deadline set by adviser UBS.

The share price has rocked since rumours of an immediate sale of the ISP that sponsors Fulham Football Club surfaced.

The company owns a number of well know internet brands including Freedom2surf, Bulldog and name domain site 1-2-3reg.com.

The company has recently come into the limelight following a cheesy ad campaign with Baywatch star David Hasselhoff.

Pipex and Virgin Media have yet to comment on the report.

Meanwhile, Virgin Media has taken over the sponsorship of Big Brother 8, after Carphone Warehouse pulled out.