'Secret millionaire' declared bankrupt

A businessman who gave away tens of thousands of pounds on Channel 4's Secret Millionaire programme has been declared bankrupt, solicitors said today.

Midlands-based property developer Chek Whyte was last month reported to be in £30m of debt and attempting to make arrangements to continue trading while paying off his debts.

But the self-made millionaire who appeared on the TV series in 2007 to give money to deserving causes in Salford, Manchester was adjudged bankrupt at Leicester County Court last Friday.

Manchester law firm Pannone LLP, acting on behalf of creditor Halls Furnishings Ltd, said: "As has been reported, Mr Whyte had put forward proposals for an individual voluntary arrangement which were withdrawn and therefore, as no further proposals were put to creditors, the court made the bankruptcy order.

"Mr Whyte's exposure on TV has portrayed him as an altruistic individual but sadly his business dealings have left him owing suppliers tens of thousands of pounds and these businesses have to take steps to recover monies owed to them".