All I can say is we often talk to other organisations about possible acquisitions, said a BBC spokesman.

What we dont do is comment on these kind of deals until something has been finalised, and we have not finalised a deal with anyone, said the spokesman.

Origin Publishing managing director Kevin Cox also declined to comment on the speculation.

BBC Magazines most recent acquisition was Parentwise magazine, which it bought early last year. The title was relaunched in September as BBC Parenting.

Any buyout deal would require approval from Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.

The Origin stable comprises more than 30 magazines, including Focus, Your Hair and Living History.

It also has a contract publishing business that handles titles for HMV, UGC Cinemas, Wessex Trains and Waterstones.

With more than 100 staff, it will print some 15m magazines and catalogues this year, and is aiming for revenues in excess of 17m.

BBC Magazines has 40 titles, including its flagship Radio Times magazine and BBC Gardeners World.

Industry estimates put its magazine market share at around 8%, behind the likes of IPC parent Time Warner, which leads the trail with a 21.6% share, followed by Emap (16.8%) and H Bauer (9%).

Story by Andy Scott