Radio One DJ Chris Moyles 'still in contract with BBC'

Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles "remains in contract" with the BBC after reports that the controversial presenter could leave for a rival station, a spokeswoman said today.

Global Radio, which is "favourite" to sign Moyles according to website Beehive City, recently announced that it will take its London-based Capital radio nationwide with a potential audience of more than six million.

A spokesman for the commercial broadcaster said: "Global Radio is not in talks with Moyles at the moment, but we would fully understand the attraction of joining Capital FM as it goes national in early January."

Moyles, whose contract is believed to run until July, hit the headlines last month when he launched an extraordinary rant on his breakfast show accusing BBC bosses of "a huge lack of respect".

He told listeners he had not been paid since July and said: "Why should I come in? It's a two-way street. What annoys me is the fact I mentioned it to people this week. Fix it, just get it fixed. It's a huge lack of respect and a massive FU to me."

A BBC spokeswoman said today: "Chris remains in contract with the BBC."