ITV could have reportedly lost £500,000 if they failed to cut to an advertising break during a last-minute interview with Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho.

The broadcasters were criticised for cutting off the Portuguese coach when he was discussing his future following Madrid's Champions League exit to Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final second leg at the Bernabeu last night.

It is believed that the channel could have lost half a million pounds if they had not cut to the advertisements before the News at Ten, according to the Daily Mail.

ITV released a statement today defending their decision to stick to the scheduled programming.