Evans slips down rich list

The Rich List, published by the industry magazine Broadcast, also includes comedian Rowan Atkinson in the top 10.

Ten richest media moguls

But media giant Chris Evans, who is still worth an estimated £52m despite his recent sacking from Virgin Radio, is featured only at number 12.

His drop from eighth to 12th place is a another blow for the former BBC Radio 1 DJ, who has lost £28m in the last 12 months, according to trade newspaper Broadcast.

Evans, 35, who is married to pop singer Billie Piper, 18, was axed from Virgin Radio after a six-day absence from his morning show.

For the second year running Sir Peter Michael, whose GWR Group owns Classic FM, heads the list with an estimated fortune of £185m.

He is closely followed by Sir Ray Tindle of Tindle Newspapers at £173m.

Anne Wood, founder of Ragdoll Productions which makes the BBC's Teletubbies, is in third place with £130m, dropping one place from her position last year.

Edmonds, who quit the BBC in 1999 having been one of its most popular presenters during his heyday, has amassed £70m with his companies, which make up Unique and UBC.

The former BBC Radio 1 DJ and Noel's House Party presenter has also seen his wealth increase. He is listed as being worth £70m - a rise of £30m from last year's list.

Atkinson, who matched Edmonds at number 18 on the list last year has seen his fortunes rise to £60m.

He is level pegging with Avtar Lit of Sunrise Radio.

Other comedians making the top 100 for the second year running are Jasper Carrott at 14.

His company has a stake in globally successful TV show Who Wants to be a Millionaire? while comics and business partners Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones, at number 22 with £25m, co-own Talkback production company.

Further down the list at number 18 comes Bob Geldof. His involvement with Castaway Productions, which makes Survivor, and the radio production firm Ten Alps bring his fortune to £30m.

There are only 14 women on the list but their appearance is seen as significant.

Among them is Elisabeth Murdoch, former managing director of Sky Networks, who comes 13th with an estimated £35m.

The daughter of media mogul Rupert Murdoch is due to tie the knot with celebrity publicist Matthew Freud in a private ceremony on Friday.

The Broadcast Top 100 Rich List 2001 was compiled for Broadcast magazine by Philip Beresford and Dominic Prince.

The list was drawn up using figures for quoted and private companies.