Whittaker faces Pinewood battle with Al Fayed

John Whittaker’s rival for the film studios Pinewood Shepperton is the former owner of Harrods, Mohamed Al Fayed.

In a statement to the stock market Mr Al Fayed confirmed he was considering making an all cash offer for the studio, which is famous for the production of the James Bond and Harry Potter films.

“There can be no certainty that an offer will be forthcoming,” added the statement.

Mr Whittaker’s Manchester-based Peel Holdings has already made a 190p a share offer for the studio, valuing it at nearly £88m.

Yesterday Pinewood, 29.78%-owned by Peel, said it had received a further approach “from an unconnected third party” which may or may not lead to an offer.

Mr Al Fayed owns Fulham Football Club and sold Harrods for £1.5bn last year.