The station, which rebranded from Virgin Radio in September 2008 following its purchase by the Times Of India Group, had been living under something of a cloud since spring this year when it was announced that its owners had put it up for sale.

At the end of last month, however, Times Of India announced it was giving Absolute "long-term backing" and withdrawing it from sale.

Absolute Radio COO Clive Dickens told Music Week that speculation over a sale - ...