The National Magazine Company chief executive Arnaud de Puyfontaine has indicated that his company is considering a bid to take a controlling interest in BBC Magazines.

The BBC said last month that it was pressing ahead with the partial sell-off of its magazine business, which publishes titles including the Radio Times and Top Gear, by asking potential buyers to make formal expressions of interest before Christmas.

In interview with the Daily Telegraph, De Puyfontaine said he was “excited” by the sale of a majority stake in the broadcaster’s magazine wing.