DJ and television presenter Chris Evans is considering gingering up the stock market. Ginger Media Group, the company in which he has a 55 per cent stake, is sounding out bankers about the possibility of a flotation.

The company was formed after Mr Evans, nicknamed the "Ginger Whinger" by the tabloid press, struck a deal to take control of Richard Branson's Virgin Radio two years ago.

Ginger also owns a television production and Internet business.

Ginger is understood to have reported turnover of more than £50 million sterling (€76 million) and operating profits of more than £15 million in the year to July 31st, 1999.

The figures - said to be 18 months ahead of projections - compare with turnover of £40 million and operating profits of £10.5 million the previous year.

The group's net worth is thought to be about £150 million making Mr Evans's stake worth about £80 million. Mr Evans would cut an idiosyncratic figure in the City. Two years ago he said he was a "replica" of Mr Branson. Floating Ginger would involve Mr Branson, who owns 20 per cent of the company, making a partial return to the City after an earlier unsuccessful flirtation with the stock market. His Virgin Group was floated in 1986 but within two years Mr Branson had decided that the listing had not brought the expected benefits and began to explore a management buy-out.

A person familiar with Ginger said the City should not take fright at the prospect of Mr Evans heading a quoted company. "There is a business there and there are business people who run the company. Chris is a presenter and a magnet for talent. He doesn't sell the advertising airtime or do the accounts."

Ginger has spoken informally to several banks, believed to include Goldman Sachs, HSBC Investment Bank and Deutsche Bank, about the possibility of floating. One may be appointed shortly to explore the idea further.

The company is believed to have performed better than expected, and Apax Partners, the venture capital group, is keen to realise some of its 20 per cent stake in the group. A flotation may take place within six months or a year.

Mr David Campbell, Ginger chief executive, declined to comment on flotation but said the company wanted funds for expansion.

He said: "There are certainly some interesting businesses we'd look at acquiring."