A Nottingham businessman who appeared in Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire has been declared bankrupt.

Chek Whyte is reported to owe £30 million to various creditors.

The millionaire appeared in Secret Millionaire in 2007 and handed out money to various causes in Salford.

Manchester law firm Pannone LLP, acting on behalf of creditor Halls Furnishings Ltd, said: “Mr Whyte had put forward proposals for an individual voluntary arrangement which were withdrawn.

“And therefore, as no further proposals were put to creditors, the court made the bankruptcy order.

“Mr Whyte’s exposure on TV has portrayed him as an altruistic individual but sadly his business dealings have left him owing suppliers tens of thousands of pounds and these businesses have to take steps to recover monies owed to them”.