O'Connell signs new Virgin Radio contract

Breakfast show DJ Christian O'Connell has signed a two-year deal with Virgin Radio that will ensure he stays with the station until 2009.

In the latest Rajar figures, the show had 1.2 million listeners, helping owner SMG to its highest audience reach in three years, with 2.53 million listeners nationwide.

There have been reports that the Scottish Media Group is looking to sell the station, along with its other "non-core businesses", in order to concentrate on its television division. Last week Virgin Radio chief executive, Paul Jackson, left the company to become managing director of GCap Media's London station, Capital 95.8.

O'Connell, who previously presented the breakfast show on Xfm, joined Virgin Radio in January last year.

O'Connell told The Guardian: "Ever since I opened my first ever show on Virgin Radio with Bon Jovi I knew this was the place for me. I've had the opportunity to meet and speak to some amazing people, Tony Blair, Noel Gallagher, Daniel Craig, Thandie Newton and of course my listeners. I've even been able to drop Suggs' personal Rolls-Royce into a swimming pool - I can't wait to see what the next couple of years here hold for me."