Fish and friends aid radio rescue

Fish embarked on a solo career after leaving Marillion in 1988

Former Marillion frontman Fish has joined three other rock stars in helping save digital radio station Planet Rock from closure.

Travel entrepreneur Malcolm Bluemel is to buy the station, backed by Fish and Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi, Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson and Gary Moore.

"I always knew there was a visionary out there who would see Planet Rock's huge potential," Fish said.

Media group GCap said earlier this year it would either sell or close it.

The company, which also owns Classic FM and Capital Radio, put Planet Rock on the market in February after deciding to move away from digital radio.

But after the decision was announced, Planet Rock won three prizes at radio's Sony Awards - including music broadcaster of the year for Fish.

The station boasts 563,000 listeners, according to a recent industry survey.

'Booming out'

Radio fan Mr Bluemel is planning a reunion for ex-Radio Luxembourg DJs

Mr Bluemel, who made his money in the travel business, said he was fanatical about radio.

"I marched in the '60s when Harold Wilson announced he was shutting down the pirates," he said.

"Planet Rock has an authenticity and integrity booming out of it. Now we aim to take it to the next level, preserve all that's great about the output and utilise other platfirms to serve an even bigger audience in a wider variety of ways."

"The fact that so many artists have come together to make this happen is testimony to the importance of this station."

Programme director Trevor White said: "To say we're happy with the news would be an understatement.

"Now we are owned by people who care solely for Planet Rock, we will go from strength to strength. I'd like to thank the thousands of listeners around the world who have overwhelmed us with their encouragement and support."