Production firm run by Radio 1 DJ goes bankrupt

A company run by the Radio 1 DJ Mark Goodier, which produced nine dance shows for the BBC, has gone into liquidation with immediate effect.

Wise Buddha Broadcast had produced Pete Tong's Essential Selection and shows hosted by other DJs, including Judge Jules and Trevor Nelson. These will now be handled in-house by Radio 1.

In a statement last night, Goodier, who hosts Radio 1's chart countdown on Sunday evenings, said: "We have taken the decision to wind up Wish Buddha broadcast only after the most extensive consultations with our banks and stakeholders. It is a decision taken with immense regret and I would like to pay tribute to the fantastic energies and devotion of our staff who worked so hard to keep things afloat."

He added: "The decision reflects the harsh realities of the media marketplace today. However I am delighted that the other businesses of the Wise Buddha Group will continue and we look forward to continuing to work with the talent those businesses encompass." A meeting of creditors has been called for 22 April.

A BBC spokesman said: "The BBC's primary concern is to guarantee continuity of output. With that in mind the production of all Radio 1 shows previously made by Wise Buddha have been taken in-house for the present time."

West End Radio Productions, a company run by Tong, who became a millionaire through his dance DJ business, merged with Wise Buddha in February 2000.

The move led to the creation of the biggest independent supplier of music radio output in the UK.

Two months later Goodier sacrificed his stock, worth a potential £7m, in an internet company, to keep his job hosting the UK Top 40 show.

The BBC asked him to relinquish his 2 per cent stake in Worldpop.com, a fledgling music firm chaired by the former Radio 1 DJ Peter Powell, to avoid a clash of interests.

Worldpop became the first sponsor of the pop charts that are aired by Radio 1 and Top Of The Pops.