In terms of spectacle, the race to be London's next Mayor looks set to provide plenty of entertainment, with personality politicians Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone ramping up the rhetoric.
With only weeks to go, sources in both camps suggest the candidates are running neck and neck in the polls - which might explain why Boris looked like he wanted to wring Ken's neck during a debate on London radio station LBC.
With accusations of tax avoidance being batted around by both sides, LBC host Nick Ferrari struggled to contain the enmity between the two - and reports suggest that following their time in the radio studio there was some decidedly unparliamentary language used.
"You're a f****** liar," Boris is said to have shouted at his opponent , thrice, as they shared a lift, livid at the accusation he had used his directorship of a television company to avoid paying income tax.
Ken, no doubt used to the occasional sweary broadside aimed in his direction, will no doubt think it a job well done.
If he so he riled the incumbent, a man better known for quoting Pliny and Homer than giving political opponents the verbal finger, it only shows that this contest is about to get dirty.
This is a political street fight between two heavyweight contenders. We should expect kidney punches.
There is clearly little love lost between the two. When Boris stormed to victory in 2008 he did so despite Ken increasing his number of votes.
The Labour man is not commonly known as gracious in defeat, and has been plotting his return to City Hall since he cleared out his desk.
The Tory, who still bridles at the suggestion he is more a comedy caricature of a politician than a serious statesman, recognises a legacy-making opportunity and a future in politics beyond London.
There are of course policy differences, on policing, public transport and the City. Yet the parallels between the men are just as interesting.
Both lead with their mouths, in that their political successes have as much to do with the quality of their rhetoric as their policy.
Both exist, to an extent, on the fringes of their party. Ken is certainly further to the left than most in Labour's PLP; Boris exists at arm's length from CCHQ, regularly making pronouncements at odds with what the Prime Minister says.
Both are driven by ego - although to be fair it's rare to find a senior politician who isn't.
Both are well known, in London and further afield, thanks to colourful personal lives and regular appearances on TV and radio.
Victory in the Mayorals would be a significant coup for either David Cameron or Ed Miliband - although the latter, who despite almost a ten-point lead in the polls never sees a week pass without speculation over his leadership, stands to lose more if his man is unsuccessful.
All of which makes the forthcoming London Debate on Sky News an even more delicious prospect.
An hour of back-and-forth between the three main candidates in front of an audience of 250 Londoners, followed by another 60 minutes of analysis, promises to be enthralling.
Just don't get into a lift with them afterwards.
:: The debate will be take place 8pm April 19. You can join the debate or submit a question by using the Twitter hashtag #skylondondebate
The full list of candidates standing:
Boris Johnson (Conservative)
Ken Livingstone (Labour)
Brian Paddick (Liberal Democrat)
Jenny Jones (Green Party)
Carlos Cortiglia (British National Party)
Siobhan Benita (Independent)
Lawrence Webb (Ukip)
