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'{{other people||Christopher Evans (disambiguation){{!}}Christopher Evans}} {{short description|English television and radio presenter}} {{Use British English|date=May 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Chris Evans | image = Chris Evans 2010.jpg | caption = Evans in 2010 | birth_name = Christopher James Evans | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1966|4|1}} | birth_place = [[Warrington]], England | education = {{Unbulleted list|[[Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School|Boteler Grammar School]]|[[Padgate High School]]}} | occupation = {{hlist|Television presenter|disc jockey|producer}} | years_active = 1983–2002, 2005–present | employer = [[Virgin Radio UK]] | television = {{ubl | ''[[The Big Breakfast]]'' (1992–94) | ''[[Don't Forget Your Toothbrush]]'' (1994–95) | ''[[TFI Friday]]'' (1996–2000; 2015) | ''[[The One Show]]'' (2010–15) | ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' (2016)<!-- Do not change as Evans never became Main presenter until May 2016 before resigning in July 2016--> }} | relatives = {{ubl | [[Thom Evans]] (cousin) | [[Max Evans (rugby union)|Max Evans]] (cousin) }} | website = {{URL|https://virginradio.co.uk/the-chris-evans-breakfast-show}} | spouse = {{ubl | {{marriage|[[Carol McGiffin]]|1991|1998|end=divorced}} | {{marriage|[[Billie Piper]]|2001|2007|end=divorced}} | {{marriage|Natasha Shishmanian<br>|11 August 2007}} }} | party = [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] }} '''Christopher James Evans''' (born 1 April 1966)<ref name=BBCbio>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3YP9wSzVrSPhq7mkN5CZkKn/chris-evans |publisher=Chris Evans Breakfast Show ([[BBC Radio 2]]) |title=Chris Evans |access-date=4 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627064309/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3YP9wSzVrSPhq7mkN5CZkKn/chris-evans |archive-date=27 June 2015 }}</ref> is an English television presenter, radio DJ and producer for radio and television. He started his broadcasting career working for [[Greatest Hits Radio Greater Manchester|Piccadilly Radio]], Manchester, as a teenager, before moving to London as a presenter for the BBC's [[BBC Radio London]] and then [[Channel 4]] television, where ''[[The Big Breakfast]]'' made him a star. Soon he was able to dictate highly favourable terms, allowing him to broadcast on competing radio and TV stations. Slots like ''[[Radio 1 Breakfast]]'' and ''[[TFI Friday]]'' provided a mix of celebrity interviews, music and comic games, delivered in an irreverent style that attracted high ratings, though often also generated significant numbers of complaints. By 2000 he was the UK's highest paid entertainer, according to the [[Sunday Times Rich List|''Sunday Times'' Rich List]]. In the tax year to April 2017, he was the BBC's highest-paid presenter, earning between £2.2m and £2.25m annually. In 2005, he started a new career on [[BBC Radio 2]], hosting [[Chris Evans Drivetime|his long-running Drivetime programme]] in April 2006, before moving in 2010 to host ''[[The Chris Evans Breakfast Show]]'' every weekday morning. He previously presented ''[[The One Show]]'' on Fridays between 2010 and 2015. Between 2011 and 2018, he co-hosted [[Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park]]. In 2015, Evans signed a three-year deal to lead a new ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' line-up<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33158464 |work=BBC News |title=Chris Evans to be new Top Gear presenter |date=16 June 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616221431/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33158464 |archive-date=16 June 2015 }}</ref> and presented a revival series of ''TFI Friday''. On 4 July 2016, he announced that he would be stepping down as presenter of ''Top Gear''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36707266 |title=Chris Evans to step down as Top Gear presenter |publisher=BBC |date=4 July 2016 |access-date=4 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704143150/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36707266 |archive-date=4 July 2016 }}</ref> On 3 September 2018, he announced that he would be leaving ''[[The Radio 2 Breakfast Show]]'' on Christmas Eve, and would be going to [[Virgin Radio UK]] to present its breakfast show.<ref name="BBC Chris Evans leaving">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-45394576 |title=Chris Evans to leave Radio 2 breakfast |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=3 September 2018 |work=BBC News |access-date=3 September 2018 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://virginradio.co.uk/highlights/hes-back-chris-evans-returns-virgin-radio-180903517926 |title=HE'S BACK! CHRIS EVANS RETURNS TO VIRGIN RADIO |date=3 September 2018 |work=Virgin Radio |access-date=3 September 2018 |language=en-GB}}</ref> He moved from [[BBC Radio 2]] with most of his regular team. ==Early life== Evans was born in [[Warrington]], England,<ref name=BBCbio /> the youngest child of [[bookmaker]] and health authority wages clerk<ref name=notwhatyouthink>{{cite book |date=1 October 2009 |author=Chris Evans |isbn=978-0-00-732723-2 |title=It's Not What You Think |publisher=Harper Collins}}</ref> Martin Joseph Evans (12 November 1921 – 25 April 1979),<ref name="Fell2Earth">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/chris-evans-the-star-who-fell-to-earth-681298.html |title=Chris Evans: The star who fell to earth |author=Lister, David |work=[[The Independent]] |date=14 April 2001 |access-date=23 May 2008}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="bmd">Births, Marriages & Deaths Index, England and Wales</ref> and Minnie Beardsall (1926–2018), who managed a corner shop. His siblings are brother David (born 1953) and sister Diane (born 1963).<ref name="bmd"/><ref name="Ind1">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/chris-evans-life-story-681299.html |title=Chris Evans: Life Story |access-date=24 May 2008 |work=The Independent |date=14 April 2001}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He started his schooling at St Margaret's Church of England Infants and Junior School,<ref name=notwhatyouthink /> and later the Junior School in [[Orford, Warrington]].{{citation needed|date=May 2011}} Evans' father died of [[colorectal cancer]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/my-brush-with-cancer-by-chris-evans-6426690.html |title=My brush with cancer, by Chris Evans |date=27 July 2011 |website=Evening Standard |access-date=9 March 2019}}</ref> and his mother was a breast cancer survivor.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/954651/Chris-Evans-Radio-2-mum-today-home-BBC-show-news-breakfast-mother-pictures |title=Chris Evans: Radio 2 host saved his mum Minnie's life after breast cancer diagnosis |first=Jess |last=Sheldon |date=3 May 2018 |website=Express.co.uk |access-date=9 March 2019}}</ref> He passed the [[Eleven-Plus exam]] and started at [[Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School|Boteler Grammar School]], Warrington. After the death of his father on 25 April 1979, the 13-year-old Evans took part-time work at an outlet of T. J. & B. McLoughlin's newsagent–[[tobacconist]] in [[Woolston, Cheshire|Woolston]], and ran an alternative tuck-shop at [[Padgate High School]], which was a comprehensive school he attended for the final three years of his secondary education.<ref name=notwhatyouthink /><ref name="Fell2Earth"/> Evans left secondary school aged 16 after moving into the sixth form,<ref name="TIC1"/> and then had a number of dead-end jobs in and around [[Warrington]], including at a private detective agency and, notoriously, as a "[[Tarzan]]-ogram".<ref name="TROTGP">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1082833.stm |title=The reign of the Ginger prince |work=BBC News |date=22 December 2000 |access-date=23 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030304180354/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1082833.stm |archive-date=4 March 2003 }}</ref> ==Career== ===Early career=== Evans began his professional career at [[Greatest Hits Radio Greater Manchester|Piccadilly Radio]], Manchester, in 1983, where he had previously had unpaid schoolboy work.<ref name="Fell2Earth"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.northwestradio.info/memories/piccadilly-key-103/ |title=Piccadilly 261 |publisher=North West Radio |access-date=23 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623071124/http://www.northwestradio.info/memories/piccadilly-key-103/ |archive-date=23 June 2012 }}</ref> Until 1984 Evans had three jobs: as an assistant to [[Timmy Mallett]], and playing a character on his show called 'Nobby Nolevel' ('No [[GCE Ordinary Level|'O' Level]]'); acting as a disc jockey in the evenings at local [[Public house|pubs]] when he was not at Piccadilly Radio; and still working at the newsagents, opening up daily at 5&nbsp;am to sort out the newspaper deliveries. Evans switched to a full-time position at the station in 1984, his new role including being driven around the Manchester area in the radio car to turn up at listeners' houses. In addition he was producer to presenter [[James H. Reeve]]. Following this he presented a weekday [[graveyard slot]] with competitions and segments where listeners had opportunities to sell their belongings on air.<ref name="Fell2Earth"/> After working as a producer on [[Richard Branson]]'s service ''[[The Superstation]]'', where he produced material for [[Jonathan Ross]],<ref name="Fell2Earth"/> Evans went on to work at the newly launched [[BBC Radio London|BBC Greater London Radio]], first as a producer on [[Emma Freud]]'s mid-morning show, then on ''Weekend Breakfast'' with [[Danny Baker]].<ref name="TROTGP"/> Owing to his success working on both shows, Evans was offered a producer role at [[BBC Radio 1]], but was persuaded to stay at GLR after station controller [[Matthew Bannister]] gave him the chance to present his own show, taking over Saturday afternoons in early 1990. Three months later, he started presenting ''The Greenhouse'', a Monday-to-Thursday evening show; he remained in this slot until the end of 1990. In early 1991, as a result of his first regular TV hosting work presenting the ''Power Up'' breakfast show on [[The Power Station (TV channel)|The Power Station]] for [[British Satellite Broadcasting]], Evans moved to presenting ''Round at Chris's'', every Saturday morning from 10:00&nbsp;am to 1:00&nbsp;pm, which he continued to present until April 1993. ===Career success=== In addition to his Saturday morning show on [[BBC London 94.9|GLR]], in March 1992 Evans began presenting a Sunday afternoon show on BBC Radio 1, replacing [[Phillip Schofield]]. His show, ''Too Much Gravy'', was broadcast from 14:30 to 16:00 and ended in September 1992. His move to Radio 1 was short-lived but seen as a huge success, with controller [[Johnny Beerling]] later admitting he wished he'd offered Evans a full-time show there and then. At the time, however, Evans objected that Radio 1 had attempted to constrain his style, preventing him from using the "[[Morning zoo|zoo]]" format, allegedly because [[Steve Wright (DJ)|Steve Wright]] was already doing that on the station. In April 1993, Evans left GLR and joined the new [[Virgin Radio]], to host a Saturday morning show.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}} ===''The Big Breakfast''=== {{main|The Big Breakfast}} Evans' departure from radio was in part so he could devote his time to the new [[Channel 4]] [[breakfast television]] show, ''[[The Big Breakfast]]'', from 28 September 1992. He co-hosted the show with [[Gaby Roslin]].{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} Evans left ''The Big Breakfast'' on 29 September 1994 and formed his own television production company, [[Ginger Productions]]. Its first major programme, ''[[Don't Forget Your Toothbrush]]'', was broadcast between 1994 and 1995. The original concepts proved to be lucrative for Evans as its format was sold to numerous foreign broadcasters.<ref name="TROTGP"/> ===''The Radio 1 Breakfast Show''=== In April 1995, Evans returned to radio to host the [[flagship]] ''[[The Radio 1 Breakfast Show|Radio 1 Breakfast Show]]''. Evans negotiated into his contract with Radio 1 a clause allowing him to still make television programmes, and specifically an option to make a Friday night programme for Channel 4. A further clause required the ''Breakfast Show'' to be produced independently by Evans' Ginger company, rather than in-house by BBC Radio.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8241384.stm Red letter day for Chris Evans], bbc.co.uk, 11 January 2010</ref> Allowed to create the "zoo" format he had previously been disallowed from performing on Radio 1, Evans was given a free rein by his friend, the station's controller Matthew Bannister. Critics hated [[innuendo]]-laden features like Honk Your Horn and in Bed with Your Girlfriend, but Evans put on 600,000 new listeners over Steve Wright – one for every [[pound sterling|£]]5 spent on salary and advertising. The effect also flowed through into the listening figures for later programmes. The audience grew as the breakfast format became more outrageous: humiliating assistant [[Holly Samos]] by repeatedly asking her about her sex life (Evans and Samos were reportedly in a relationship at periods through their time working together), and encouraging two female guests to perform a strip show on live radio.<ref name="Telg1">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/htmlContent.jhtml?html=/archive/1997/01/17/neva117.html |title=Rise and fall of Radio 1's gaffe-prone presenter |author=Boshoff, Alison |work=The Telegraph |date=17 January 1997 |access-date=23 May 2008 |location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050912084549/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/htmlContent.jhtml?html=%2Farchive%2F1997%2F01%2F17%2Fneva117.html |archive-date=12 September 2005}}</ref> The show's highest listening figure reached 7.5&nbsp;million.<ref name="ScotsMan1">{{cite news |url=http://news.scotsman.com/chrisevans/Evans-big-hangover.2439680.jp |title=Evans' big hangover|author=Synnot, Siobhan |work=The Scotsman |date=23 June 2003 |access-date=24 May 2008 |location=Edinburgh}}</ref> Evans began making editions of Channel 4's ''[[TFI Friday]]'' from 1996. The show – devised, produced and hosted by Evans through his Ginger Media company – combined celebrity interviews, musical guests and daft games and competitions. Largely based on the successful formula of his radio show, it was initially a big success. However, as the success of both shows peaked, combined with a string of celebrity relationships and highly publicised nights drinking with friends Danny Baker and [[Paul Gascoigne]], the strain began to show, and a model emerged described as a "template for his approach to all his subsequent projects – an abundance of enthusiasm at the beginning which eventually falls prey to boredom and shiftlessness."<ref name="ScotsMan1"/> Beginning to think he was indispensable at Radio 1, the first big falling-out with management came in December 1995 after taking his crew out on a 17-hour pub-crawl which ended two hours before they were due on air: Evans was fined one day's pay, £7,000.<ref name="Telg1"/> In 1996, broadcasting watchdogs investigated a continual trail of complaints against the show: Radio 1 refused to comment, Evans never said sorry. Evans also made increasing public demands of the Radio 1 management: after taking an extra week of unplanned holiday, Evans chose to turn up half an hour late for his 06:30 show and then demanded that his hours were changed so that it was a permanent fixture – this request was accepted.<ref name="Telg1"/> However, after the summer break things got decidedly worse. Criticised by the broadcasting watchdog for a tasteless joke about [[Holocaust]] victim [[Anne Frank]], Evans countered with an item about [[haemorrhoids]].<ref name="Telg1"/> Asked by Bannister to watch the rules, Evans the next day branded Bannister "[[The Fat Controller]]".<ref name="Telg1"/> In November, Evans announced on air that he was medically unfit to be on the radio – Bannister re-negotiated his contract to double his holiday to twice that of other Radio 1 DJs. After more publicised public drinking and self-confessed illness, Evans' spell at the station ended in January 1997 when he quit after his demand not to host the show on Friday (to have a full day getting ready for his TV show) was not accepted.<ref name="Telg1"/> ''The Radio 1 Breakfast Show'' was taken over by [[Mark and Lard]] ([[Mark Radcliffe (radio broadcaster)|Mark Radcliffe]] and [[Marc Riley]]).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/may/28/mondaymediasection.radio |title=Made in Manchester |author=Plunkett, John |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=28 May 2007 |access-date=23 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118183828/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/may/28/mondaymediasection.radio |archive-date=18 January 2014 }}</ref> When Evans found out that they were a ratings disaster, he quickly got in touch with BBC Radio 1 management to ask whether he could take back the show again.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} Station management declined but did offer him a weekend slot, which he turned down. In response to the falling ratings, bosses decided to replace its presenters with the relatively unknown [[Kevin Greening]] and the well-known children's TV presenter [[Zoe Ball]]. Their tenure started on 13 October 1997. ===Virgin Radio=== During a holiday in [[Killarney]], Evans listened to the Irish broadcaster [[Gerry Ryan]] on the radio. Evans claims the variety on Ryan's show made him want to return to radio.<ref name="GerryRyan">{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/he-rescued-my-radio-career-says-bbc-star-2162406.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802131334/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/he-rescued-my-radio-career-says-bbc-star-2162406.html |archive-date=2 August 2012 |title='He rescued my radio career,' says BBC star|first=Patricia|last=McDonagh|work=Independent.ie|date=3 May 2010 |access-date=20 May 2010 |url-status=dead|publisher=Independent News & Media}}</ref> Evans was then hired by [[Absolute Radio|Virgin Radio]] to host its breakfast show, prompting an immediate upsurge in station listening figures of 1.8&nbsp;million to 2.6&nbsp;million. His first show was on 13 October 1997, the same day as Kevin Greening and Zoë Ball on Radio 1. Starting at 7:00&nbsp;am, Evans' crew presented the show from Monday to Friday, but without Evans on a Friday. As Richard Branson had decided to reduce his media holding, he began talks to sell the station to [[Capital Radio]] in a deal that would have given him 10% of holding company [[Capital Group]]. As this became public knowledge, Evans, who did not want to work for Capital, publicly dismissed them as "a bleating, blowing asthmatic dog."<ref name="Man2Day">{{cite web |url=http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/search/article/406973/uk-clown-media-mogul-tv-upstart-chris-evans-stunned-the-broadcasting-world-buying-/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216115054/http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/search/article/406973/uk-clown-media-mogul-tv-upstart-chris-evans-stunned-the-broadcasting-world-buying-/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 December 2008 |title=Can this clown be a media mogul? |work=Management Today |date=1 July 1999 |access-date=23 May 2008|first=Matthew|last=Gwyther|publisher=Haymarket}}</ref> On 9 December, with the assistance of investors, Evans' vehicle Ginger Media Group bought Virgin Radio from Branson for £85m, to control the interests both of Ginger Productions and Virgin Radio. Both [[Apax Partners]] and Branson each owned 20% of Ginger Media Group, while Evans and his investors owned the remaining 60%.<ref name="BBCSale">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/601640.stm |title=Evans sells up |work=BBC News |date=13 January 2000 |access-date=20 April 2020|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031223173149/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/601640.stm |archive-date=23 December 2003 }}</ref> The group later engaged in the prospect of buying the ''[[Daily Star (United Kingdom)|Daily Star]]'' newspaper, but decided against from commercial angles.<ref name="Man2Day"/> ===Sale of GMG – dismissal and legal cases=== On 14 March 2000, Evans agreed the sale of Ginger Media Group to [[SMG plc|Scottish Media Group]] for £225m.<ref name="BBCSale"/> The sale made Evans the highest-paid entertainer in the UK in 2000, estimated by the [[Sunday Times Rich List|''Sunday Times'' Rich List]] to have been paid around £35.5million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1029072.stm|title=Evans tops UK showbiz earners |work=BBC News |date=18 November 2000 |access-date=20 April 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060703143135/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1029072.stm |archive-date=3 July 2006 }}</ref> Following poor reviews of ''TFI Friday'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/307122.stm|title=Channel 4's TFI a 'turn-off'|work=BBC News|date=29 March 1999|access-date=20 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060703141802/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/307122.stm|archive-date=3 July 2006}}</ref> and Evans himself handing over presentation of the last series of the show to a series of "friends", the show was cancelled in December 2000.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1082844.stm |title=The rise and fall of TFI |work=BBC News |date=22 December 2000 |access-date=20 April 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060703143207/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1082844.stm |archive-date=3 July 2006 }}</ref> Evans continued to host the station's breakfast show, but echoes of his earlier dismissal from Radio 1 began to emerge. In May 2000, the station was fined £75,000 (then the largest penalty imposed by the [[Radio Authority]]) for his repeated on-air endorsement of [[Ken Livingstone]] in the [[2000 London mayoral election|London mayoral elections]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2000/may/16/londonmayor.uk|title=£75,000 fine for Evans line on Livingstone|work=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601175817/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2000/may/16/londonmayor.uk|archive-date=1 June 2016|date=16 May 2000|access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref> Virgin Radio's new programme controller Paul Jackson, in light of audience figures which had dropped from a peak of 2.7&nbsp;million to 1.7&nbsp;million, had pruned Evans's "zoo" team and installed a music policy which replaced more eclectic choices with a strict diet of chart pop. As a result, on 20 June Evans was followed throughout the day by [[tabloid newspaper]] photographers, and undertook an "18-hour bender" which started after his show at 9.30 in the morning, and ended – after numerous pints of [[Kronenbourg]] and [[Guinness]], plus five bottles of [[Dom Pérignon (wine)|Dom Pérignon]] – with Evans asleep in front of a [[Lap dance|lap-dancer]] at [[Stringfellows]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/4263500/Ginger-binger.html|title=Ginger binger |work=The Telegraph |date=1 July 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111181733/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/4263500/Ginger-binger.html |access-date=11 November 2012 |archive-date=11 November 2012 }}</ref> Later photographed by the tabloids that week with new wife [[Billie Piper]] in the nearest pub to their home in [[Hascombe]], Surrey<ref name="4ME"/> while claiming he was too ill to present his show,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3022702.stm|title=Timeline: Chris Evans and Virgin|work=BBC News|date=26 June 2003|access-date=20 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307090513/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3022702.stm|archive-date=7 March 2007}}</ref> he was dismissed on 28 June 2001 for repeatedly failing to arrive at work. Evans was replaced by the older [[Steve Penk]], whom Evans criticised for his age – 39 versus Evans's then 35.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/showbiz/1418594.stm|title=Penk replaces Evans at Virgin Radio|work=BBC News|date=2 July 2001|access-date=20 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040225014323/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/showbiz/1418594.stm|archive-date=25 February 2004}}</ref> Evans attempted to sue Virgin Radio, claiming that he was unfairly dismissed and denied share options worth £8.6&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1711049.stm|title=Evans sues for lost Virgin shares|work=BBC News|date=14 December 2001|access-date=20 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040716162336/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1711049.stm|archive-date=16 July 2004}}</ref> On 26 June 2003, in the judgement of ''Evans v SMG Television Ltd. & Ors'' 2003 EWHC 1423 (Ch), Justice Lightman found that he had been fairly dismissed and was not entitled to the share options.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2003/1423.html&query=virgin+radio&method=all|title=Christopher Evans v SMG Television et al.|publisher=Royal Courts of Justice|date=23 June 2003|access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref> Giving his ruling at the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]], Evans was publicly criticised for his attitude by the judge, who said of Evans: "He has the temperament of a prima donna."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3020130.stm|title=Evans loses £8.6m damages case|work=BBC News|date=23 June 2003|access-date=20 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215003505/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3020130.stm|archive-date=15 February 2009}}</ref> Virgin Radio/SMG later countersued, with Evans ordered to pay £1m towards their legal costs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3039010.stm|title=Evans must pay Virgin £1m|work=BBC News|date=2 July 2003|access-date=20 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040630125742/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3039010.stm|archive-date=30 June 2004}}</ref> In his autobiography, Evans writes that shortly after the sale of Virgin Radio he was offered £56m for his SMG shares by Goldman Sachs.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} He declined the offer{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} and eventually sold them for £250,000.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} ===UMTV=== In August 2002 Chris Evans set up a radio and television production company, UMTV, with the aim of specialising in live, cutting-edge, entertainment programming. Over the next 3 years UMTV produced more than 375 hours of television, with mixed success. TV shows included ''[[Boys and Girls (TV series)|Boys and Girls]]'' hosted by [[Vernon Kay]] for Channel 4,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2979038.stm|title=Evans' game show given chop|work=BBC News|date=10 June 2003|access-date=24 May 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060109192531/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2979038.stm|archive-date=9 January 2006}}</ref> ''[[Johnny Vegas]]: [[18 Stone of Idiot]]'' for Channel 4 / [[E4 (TV channel)|E4]]; ''[[OFI Sunday]]'' for [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]];<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4250348.stm|title=Live TV comeback for Chris Evans|work=BBC News|date=15 September 2005|access-date=24 May 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427004902/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4250348.stm|archive-date=27 April 2006}}</ref> ''Live with [[Christian O'Connell]]'' and ''[[Live with Chris Moyles]]'' for [[Channel 5 (UK)|Five]];<ref name="4ME">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2111850.stm|title=Evans signs £4m chat show deal|work=BBC News|date=7 July 2002|access-date=23 May 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302054734/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2111850.stm|archive-date=2 March 2009}}</ref> and the [[BAFTA]] award-winning ''School of Hard Knocks'' for 4 Learning.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3753555.stm|title=Host Evans 'back for schools TV'|work=BBC News|date=27 May 2004|access-date=24 May 2008}}</ref> Following two high-profile shows which failed to perform in the ratings, UMTV hired [[Terry Wogan]] and Evans' former ''Big Breakfast'' co-host [[Gaby Roslin]] to host a weekday morning magazine show, ''[[The Terry and Gaby Show]].'' Evans said publicly that if this show failed he would set up a market stall. Despite critical acclaim the audience numbers never took off and Channel 5 axed the show after its year-long run, citing its high cost as a reason. True to his word, Evans was pictured at the end of the final show with a market stall and later he opened it for real at [[Stables Market]], [[London Borough of Camden|Camden]].<ref name="Market"/> ===Radio 2=== [[File:Chris and joss.jpg|thumb|right|Evans and [[Joss Stone]] in 2005]] Evans re-entered public life in early 2005, presenting the breakfast slot of [[UK Radio Aid]]'s day of programming for the victims of the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|Asian tsunami]], which was aired on most of the UK's [[commercial radio]] stations, and also [[The BRIT Awards]] in 2005 and 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4036423.stm|title=Chris Evans returns as Brits host|work=BBC News|date=23 November 2004|access-date=24 May 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307220508/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4036423.stm|archive-date=7 March 2007}}</ref> From April 2005, Evans presented a number of one-off [[Bank Holiday]] shows for [[BBC Radio 2]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4321917.stm|title=Evans to return to BBC airwaves|work=BBC News|date=5 March 2005|access-date=24 May 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061121203103/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4321917.stm|archive-date=21 November 2006}}</ref> including coverage of the [[Live 8 concert, London|Live 8 concert in London]]. ====Saturday afternoon show==== Evans then joined Radio 2 on a permanent basis in September 2005, presenting a weekly Saturday afternoon show from 14:00 to 17:00. His first show featured singer [[Robbie Williams]], and accompanied by a posse including friend "Big" Pete Winterbottom and newsreader [[Andrew Peach]]. Evans told listeners to his first show: "We've had a couple of test drives over the summer and we've decided to take it. Yes, we like this vehicle."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4255812.stm|title=Chris Evans starts Radio 2 show|work=BBC News|date=17 September 2005|access-date=24 May 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050922061223/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4255812.stm|archive-date=22 September 2005}}</ref> ====Move to ''Drivetime''==== {{Main|Chris Evans Drivetime}} The show was well received by listeners and critics, and Evans was announced as the successor to Radio 2's ''[[Drivetime]]'' show on 2 March 2006, succeeding long-time host [[Johnnie Walker (DJ)|Johnnie Walker]], beginning on 18 April.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/organgrinder/2006/04/chris_evans_live_1.html|title=Chris Evans' new Radio 2 show|author=Brook, Stephen|work=The Guardian|date=18 April 2006|access-date=24 May 2008|location=London|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070923065719/http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/organgrinder/2006/04/chris_evans_live_1.html|archive-date=23 September 2007}}</ref> [[RAJAR]] audience figures published in August 2006 showed Evans had 150,000 fewer listeners than his predecessor's last show but was on par with previous years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5241110.stm|title=Chris Moyles hits audience high|work=BBC News|date=3 August 2006|access-date=24 May 2008}}</ref> The second set of RAJAR's published in October 2006 showed his audience was up by 109,000-year-on-year, and up by 33,000 compared with the previous quarter. Figures showed he was drawing an average audience of 4.9&nbsp;million a day on his [[drivetime]] show. By the end of 2007, the show was averaging over five million listeners.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chrisevans/2008/01/its_all_going_to_be_ok_for_ano.shtml|title=It's all going to be OK – for another three months at least|publisher=BBC|date=31 January 2008|access-date=24 May 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523172947/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chrisevans/2008/01/its_all_going_to_be_ok_for_ano.shtml|archive-date=23 May 2008}}</ref> On 7 September 2009 it was announced that Evans would take over [[The Chris Evans Breakfast Show|breakfast show]] from Sir [[Terry Wogan]] after Wogan announced his intention to leave the show at the end of the year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8241101.stm |title=Sir Terry to leave breakfast show |work=BBC News |date=7 September 2009 |access-date=7 September 2009}}</ref> Evans hosted his final drivetime show on Christmas Eve 2009. ====The Chris Evans Breakfast Show==== {{Main|The Chris Evans Breakfast Show}} Evans took over the [[The Chris Evans Breakfast Show|Radio 2 breakfast show]] on 11 January 2010, succeeding Sir Terry Wogan. The show was originally 30 minutes longer than the Wogan incarnation and began at 07:00&nbsp;am, but following the departure of [[Sarah Kennedy]] from early breakfast, the show was extended by another 30 minutes and began at 06:30&nbsp;am. The show always ended with a handover to [[Ken Bruce]] at 09:30&nbsp;am. While Evans replaced Wogan owing to his long-planned retirement, supporters of Kennedy alleged there was a deliberate intention to force her out so that Evans' show could be lengthened. His first three songs were [[The Beatles]]' "[[All You Need Is Love]]" and "[[Got to Get You into My Life]]"; and [[Frank Sinatra]]'s "[[Come Fly with Me (1957 song)|Come Fly with Me]]". His co-presenters included ex-BBC TV newsreader [[Moira Stuart]], sports presenter [[Jonny Saunders]] (who was replaced in June 2011 by [[Vassos Alexander]]), and travel reporter [[Lynn Bowles]]. Features included The Gobsmackers (two songs selected by a listener that sound good played back-to-back). On 3 September 2018, Evans announced live on air that he would be leaving the show and the station in December for [[Virgin Radio UK|Virgin Radio]].<ref name="BBC Chris Evans leaving"/> On 11 September the BBC Director General [[Tony Hall, Baron Hall of Birkenhead|Lord Tony Hall]] told the [[House of Commons]] Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee that, as well as wanting a new challenge, releasing the salaries of those at the BBC earning more than £150,000 had been a contributing factor in Evans' leaving. A month later, Evans confirmed live on air that [[Zoe Ball]] would replace him on the show from January 2019. The show officially ended on 24 December 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-45482646|title=BBC pay reveal 'a factor' in Evans' exit|date=11 September 2018|access-date=11 September 2018|work=BBC News}}</ref> Evans moved to Virgin with most of his Radio 2 team including sports reporter [[Vassos Alexander]] and Rachel Horne who provides regular news bulletins expanded her role as the show's travel expert. Ellie Davis leads the show as Executive Producer and producer Meera Depala is also part of the team. Supporting Davis are David Brain (Producer) and Jayne Cheeseman (Assistant Producer) who produced the previous breakfast show on Virgin Radio.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} ===Sony Music Radio Personality of the Year=== In May 2006, Evans was named Music Radio Personality of the Year at the annual [[Sony Radio Academy Awards]], defeating rivals [[Jamie Theakston]], [[Lauren Laverne]], [[Marc Riley]] and [[Tim Lovejoy]] to win. When accepting the award, Evans thanked the BBC for giving him "a second chance."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://radio.about.com/b/2006/05/10/bbc-radio-2s-chris-evans-named-music-radio-personality.htm|title=BBC Radio 2's Chris Evans Named Music Radio Personality|author=Deitz, Corey|publisher=About.com|date=10 May 2006|access-date=24 May 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608021720/http://radio.about.com/b/2006/05/10/bbc-radio-2s-chris-evans-named-music-radio-personality.htm|archive-date=8 June 2011}}</ref> Evans won 'music radio personality' the following year, while his show won the Entertainment award. "I didn't expect this," he said. "I wouldn't have minded if I didn't win, but I really love the fact I have won."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6610445.stm|title=Classic FM tops Sony Radio Awards|work=BBC News|date=1 May 2007|access-date=24 May 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129214921/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6610445.stm|archive-date=29 January 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/may/01/radio1|title=Chris Evans takes two Sonys|author=Gibson, Owen|work=The Guardian|date=1 May 2007|access-date=24 May 2008|location=London|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903180410/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/may/01/radio1|archive-date=3 September 2014}}</ref> Evans was voted the 82nd most influential media personality in ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper's 2007 poll.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jul/09/mediatop1002007.mondaymediasection103|title=No82 – Chris Evans|work=The Guardian|date=9 July 2007|access-date=24 May 2008|location=London|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903164925/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jul/09/mediatop1002007.mondaymediasection103|archive-date=3 September 2014}}</ref> ===Return to television=== After his success in the 1990s, Evans' attempts at a TV comeback in the 21st century have been mixed with a record of poor ratings and cancellations, including falling viewing figures for his recent role as co-host of Friday editions of ''The One Show''.{{Citation needed|date=December 2011}} In November and December 2005 Evans presented ''[[OFI Sunday]]'' on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]. In a move described by [[Private Eye]] as ''[[Alan Partridge|Partridgean]]'', ex-wife [[Billie Piper]] was the first guest on the programme.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/videos/256437/billie-piper-appears-on-ofi-sunday/1 |title=Billie Piper appears on OFI Sunday |publisher=NOW! magazine |access-date=24 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929010847/http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/videos/256437/billie-piper-appears-on-ofi-sunday/1 |archive-date=29 September 2011 }}</ref> ''OFI Sunday'' was cancelled after just five shows following poor reviews and low viewing figures. Its cancellation led Evans to complain on air during his Saturday BBC Radio 2 slot that he no longer knew how to be successful on television. ===''The One Show'' (2010–15)=== {{main|The One Show}} In 2010, it was announced that Evans would be replacing [[Adrian Chiles]] as the Friday co-presenter of ''[[The One Show]]'' on [[BBC One]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8618242.stm | work=BBC News | title=Evans to host Friday's One Show | date=13 April 2010}}</ref> Chiles and then co-host [[Christine Bleakley]] left the show to join [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]. Evans presented the show on Fridays with [[Alex Jones (Welsh presenter)|Alex Jones]], and occasionally covered other weekdays. [[Matt Baker (presenter)|Matt Baker]] presented and still presents (as of 2018) the show on a regular Monday to Thursday basis. In 2015, Evans announced he was quitting ''[[The One Show]]'' to focus on ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s265/top-gear/news/a653935/chris-evans-is-quitting-the-one-show-to-concentrate-on-top-gear.html#~pgeGGOMHa4pLHn|title=Chris Evans is quitting The One Show to concentrate on Top Gear|work=Digital Spy|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620233114/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s265/top-gear/news/a653935/chris-evans-is-quitting-the-one-show-to-concentrate-on-top-gear.html#~pgeGGOMHa4pLHn|archive-date=20 June 2015|date=19 June 2015}}</ref> ===Return to Channel 4=== In January 2011 Evans returned to [[Channel 4]] to present a new reality show ''[[Famous and Fearless]]'', in which eight celebrities were arranged into two teams, 'Boys' and 'Girls'. The celebrities taking part on the boys' team were: [[Rufus Hound]], [[Charley Boorman]], Sam Branson (son of Richard Branson) and [[Jonah Lomu]]. On the girls' team were [[Jenny Frost]], [[Kacey Ainsworth]], [[Sarah Jayne Dunn]] and Dame [[Kelly Holmes]]. Holmes won the girls'; Boorman won the boys' and the show outright.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/famous-and-fearless |publisher=Channel 4 |title=Famous and Fearless |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115044945/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/famous-and-fearless |archive-date=15 January 2016 }}</ref> In February 2011, it was reported that the show had been axed after one series due to poor ratings.<ref>Ryan Love [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a304906/channel-4-axes-famous-and-fearless.html 'Channel 4 axes Famous and Fearless'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224010119/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a304906/channel-4-axes-famous-and-fearless.html |date=24 February 2011}} Digital Spy 21 February 2011.</ref> ===''Top Gear''=== {{main|Top Gear (2002 TV series)}} On 16 June 2015, the BBC announced that Evans had signed a three-year deal to be the main presenter on the [[BBC Two]] motoring show ''Top Gear'',<ref>{{Cite news|title = Telegraph – Chris Evans confirmed as new Top Gear presenter – Media Centre|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/11679612/Chris-Evans-confirmed-as-new-Top-Gear-presenter.html|website = The Telegraph|access-date = 16 June 2015|location = London|first = Hannah|last = Furness|date = 16 June 2015|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150616193748/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/11679612/Chris-Evans-confirmed-as-new-Top-Gear-presenter.html|archive-date = 16 June 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = BBC – Chris Evans to lead new Top Gear line up – Media Centre|url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/chris-evans-to-lead-new-top-gear-line-up?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_press_office&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=corporate|website = www.bbc.co.uk|access-date = 16 June 2015|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150618225330/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/chris-evans-to-lead-new-top-gear-line-up?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_press_office&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=corporate|archive-date = 18 June 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref> following the departure of [[Jeremy Clarkson]], [[Richard Hammond]], and [[James May]]. On his radio show the next morning he confirmed his acceptance and explained the offer came after [[James May]] and [[Richard Hammond]] had confirmed to the BBC they would not be returning to the show. Before the announcement, he sent texts to May, Hammond and Clarkson and received supportive replies from all three.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33162666|title=Chris Evans 'wished well' by Top Gear trio|work=BBC News|date=17 June 2015|access-date=17 June 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617083500/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33162666|archive-date=17 June 2015}}</ref> In February 2016, it was confirmed that [[Matt LeBlanc]], [[Rory Reid (journalist)|Rory Reid]], [[Sabine Schmitz]], [[Chris Harris (journalist)|Chris Harris]] and [[Eddie Jordan]] would also be joining Evans for the twenty third series of ''Top Gear''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35490238|title=Matt LeBlanc to be Top Gear co-presenter|date=4 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204225852/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35490238|archive-date=4 February 2016|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35548081|title=Eddie Jordan and Sabine Schmitz join Top Gear line-up|date=11 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211123014/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35548081|archive-date=11 February 2016|work=BBC News}}</ref> It was also revealed that the new series would begin airing in May 2016. The first episode of the new series of six episodes was broadcast 29 May 2016.<ref name="Series 23">{{cite news|last1=Vijayenthiran|first1=Viknesh|title=New 'Top Gear' Delayed, Season Cut Short: Report|url=http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1102590_new-top-gear-delayed-season-cut-short-report|access-date=7 March 2016|publisher=Motor Authority|date=29 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308061547/http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1102590_new-top-gear-delayed-season-cut-short-report|archive-date=8 March 2016}}</ref> In June 2016 it was reported that fellow presenter LeBlanc had threatened to quit the show unless Evans was sacked, because of inappropriate behaviour on set. The source alleged that Evans had become jealous of the attention the other presenters were getting and had become distanced from the group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/top-gear-matt-leblanc-to-quit-show-unless-cohost-chris-evans-is-sacked-a3281071.html|title=Matt LeBlanc 'will quit Top Gear unless Chris Evans is sacked'|date=26 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630192130/http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/top-gear-matt-leblanc-to-quit-show-unless-cohost-chris-evans-is-sacked-a3281071.html|archive-date=30 June 2016}}</ref> On 4 July 2016 Evans announced that he had stepped down as presenter of the show and cutting his contract with ''Top Gear'' short by two years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/jul/04/chris-evans-quits-bbc-top-gear-after-one-series|title=Chris Evans quits BBC Top Gear after just one series|date=4 July 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=5 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705145916/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/jul/04/chris-evans-quits-bbc-top-gear-after-one-series|archive-date=5 July 2016}}</ref> Throughout the duration of the new series, Evans had received strong criticism due to his presenting style.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jun/06/chris-evans-top-gear-ratings-bbc|title=Chris Evans slams Top Gear's critics as catch-up viewing lifts ratings|date=6 June 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=5 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709051315/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jun/06/chris-evans-top-gear-ratings-bbc|archive-date=9 July 2016}}</ref> In the tax year to April 2017, he was the BBC's highest paid presenter, earning between £2.2m and £2.25m.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/live/2017/jul/19/bbc-publishes-salaries-of-highest-earning-stars-live-updates|title=BBC accused of discrimination as salaries reveal gender pay gap – as it happened|first=Matthew|last=Weaver|date=19 July 2017|website=theguardian.com|access-date=20 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809133929/https://www.theguardian.com/media/live/2017/jul/19/bbc-publishes-salaries-of-highest-earning-stars-live-updates|archive-date=9 August 2017}}</ref> ==Personal life== Evans has a daughter, Jade (born 1986), by former fiancée Alison Ward.<ref name="Ind1"/> In 1998, after a long-running dispute, the couple reached an out-of-court arrangement whereby Evans provided a home for his daughter and an allowance to Ward.<ref name="TIC1">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.thisischeshire.co.uk/1998/7/3/239226.html |title=Chris Evans resolves maintenance dispute |publisher=This is Cheshire |date=3 July 1998 |access-date=23 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214232010/http://archive.thisischeshire.co.uk/1998/7/3/239226.html |archive-date=14 February 2009}}</ref> On 7 September 2013, Evans walked Jade down the aisle when she married her boyfriend Callum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/428217/Chris-Evans-and-the-daughter-who-gave-him-a-second-chance|title=Chris Evans and the daughter who gave him a second chance|first=Simon|last=Edge|date=10 September 2013|access-date=11 September 2018}}</ref> On 9 January 2015, Evans became a grandfather when Jade gave birth to her son, Teddy Rupert.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2015010922762/chris-evans-first-time-grandfather/|title=Chris Evans becomes a first-time grandfather|date=9 January 2015|access-date=11 September 2018}}</ref> Evans married [[Carol McGiffin]] in 1991. Their 1993 break up was not amicable and McGiffin has been scathing about Evans in newspaper articles in the years since.<ref name="Fell2Earth"/><ref name="ScotsMan1"/> The two divorced in 1998. During his time at BBC Radio 1 and Virgin, Evans had well publicised relationships with [[Kim Wilde]], model Rachel Tatton-Brown (whose sister was a researcher on ''The Big Breakfast''), assistant producer Suzi Aplin, [[Anthea Turner]],<ref name="Fell2Earth"/> [[Geri Halliwell]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/504598.stm|title=Geri keeps mum over 'ginger romance'|work=BBC News|date=4 November 1999|access-date=23 May 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060530054203/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/504598.stm|archive-date=30 May 2006}}</ref> and [[Melanie Sykes]].<ref name="TROTGP"/> In May 2000, Evans met teenage pop star [[Billie Piper]], whom he dated for a while. As a present to him, she proposed on his 35th birthday, and the couple married in a £200 ceremony at the [[Little Church of the West]] in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], Nevada on 6 May 2001, in a ceremony attended by six guests including best man [[Danny Baker]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1318007.stm|title=Chris Evans weds Billie Piper|work=BBC News|date=6 January 2001|access-date=21 May 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103173247/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1318007.stm|archive-date=3 January 2008}}</ref> In September 2004, news stories circulated regarding a trial separation – Evans at the time had a stall at [[Camden Market]], where he was found selling furniture and paintings from his [[Central London|London]] and [[Los Angeles]] homes, commenting: "I just want to get rid of it all, it's just a headache."<ref name="Market">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4048193.stm|title=Chris Evans back on the market|author=Thomas, Rachel|work=BBC News|date=27 November 2004|access-date=31 October 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070319044708/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4048193.stm|archive-date=19 March 2007}}</ref> In 2005, it was confirmed that Evans and Piper would divorce, with Piper publicly stating that she would take no money from Evans. Almost three years after they had separated, Evans and Piper divorced in May 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5117768.stm|title=Piper set to refuse divorce cash|work=BBC News|date=26 June 2006|access-date=24 May 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907115847/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5117768.stm|archive-date=7 September 2007}}</ref> A keen golfer who plays with a [[golf handicap|handicap]] of 15, Evans met professional golfer, part-time model and columnist for ''[[Golf Punk]]'' magazine Natasha Shishmanian when they became golf partners in the [[All*Star Cup]] celebrity tournament in [[Newport, Wales|Newport]] – Evans gave his 17-year-old caddy at the 2005 event, Natalie Harrison, a £10,000 Russian Kristall Smolensk diamond he won for the quality of his play.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/4202614.stm|title=Star gives caddy £10,000 diamond|work=BBC News|date=31 August 2005|access-date=24 May 2008 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051110220850/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/4202614.stm |archive-date=10 November 2005}}</ref> Evans and Shishmanian married in August 2007, and held a reception in [[Faro, Portugal]] the following weekend that was attended by Evans's former wife Piper. The couple have four children: sons Noah,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7881722.stm | title = DJ Chris Evans welcomes baby son | date = 10 February 2009 | access-date = 10 February 2009 | work = BBC News | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213091425/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7881722.stm | archive-date = 13 February 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> (born in 2009), Eli (born 2012)<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC Radio 2 – The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, Hay Festival 500 Words with Alex Jones and David Walliams, Chris Evans Announces the Birth of Baby Eli live on Radio 2 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00tchty |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105140556/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00tchty |archive-date=5 January 2016 |work=BBC}}</ref>, and twins Walt and Boo (born 2018)<ref>{{cite news |date=20 September 2018 |title=Chris Evans and wife welcome twins |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-45585070}}</ref>. Their two eldest sons have appeared a number of times on their father's Breakfast Radio show.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-10-05/chris-evans-on-messing-up-maturing-and-saving-his-mums-life/|title=Chris Evans on messing up, maturing – and saving his mum's life|access-date=11 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01cnkkj/p01cnl2k |title=Noah Evans: broadcaster of the future – Chris Evans Magnificent 7, Famous 5 and Dine & Disco Weekend for CiN – BBC Children in Need|website=BBC|access-date=11 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-23 |title=Chris Evans gets son Eli, 7, to organise CarFest's opening ceremony as he broadcasts his Virgin Radio Breakfast Show from the festival |url=https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/9784320/chris-evans-son-eli-carfests/ |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=The Sun |language=en-gb}}</ref> In March 2008, Evans said in his Radio 2 blog that he had taken [[Psilocybin mushroom|"magic mushrooms"]] two days before attending a [[Meat Loaf]] concert at the [[Royal Albert Hall]]. He said: "I thought I was chronicling the Albert Hall moving sideways on the back of a giant rock and roll crab, something I didn't think the world should miss." A [[Metropolitan Police]] spokeswoman said the force would investigate any reports of [[class A drug]]-taking.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1582958/Chris-Evans-took-magic-mushrooms.html|title=Chris Evans took magic mushrooms|work=The Telegraph|date=27 March 2008|access-date=10 September 2013|location=London|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101094122/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1582958/Chris-Evans-took-magic-mushrooms.html|archive-date=1 January 2014}}</ref> A fan of fast cars, and particularly [[Ferrari]]s,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/news/AUTOTRADER/32799.html |title=Chris Evans' Ferrari for sale |publisher=Autotrader.com |date=27 October 2006 |access-date=24 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225175544/http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/news/AUTOTRADER/32799.html |archive-date=25 February 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/1983459/Chris-Evans-pays-and1635m-for-vintage-Ferrari.html|title=Chris Evans pays £5m for vintage Ferrari|author=English, Andrew|work=The Telegraph|date=19 May 2008|access-date=24 May 2008|location=London|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531030049/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/1983459/Chris-Evans-pays-and1635m-for-vintage-Ferrari.html|archive-date=31 May 2008}}</ref> Evans was banned from driving for 56 days in 2001 and fined £600 after admitting to a speeding charge at [[Staines]] [[Magistrates' Court (England and Wales)|Magistrates' Court]] after being stopped by [[Surrey Police]] when driving at {{convert|105|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} on the [[A3 road]] in [[Esher]] in January 2001.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/showbiz/1357896.stm|title=Chris Evans banned from driving|work=BBC News|date=29 May 2001|access-date=23 May 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060303101444/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/showbiz/1357896.stm|archive-date=3 March 2006}}</ref> In 2005 Evans crashed his silver [[Ferrari 575M Maranello|575M Maranello]] into a verge near his then Surrey home.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://radio.about.com/b/2005/09/26/british-dj-chris-evans-crashes-ferrari-laughs-it-off.htm|title=British DJ Chris Evans Crashes Ferrari, Laughs It Off|author=Dietz, Corey|publisher=About.com|date=26 September 2005|access-date=24 May 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530005645/http://radio.about.com/b/2005/09/26/british-dj-chris-evans-crashes-ferrari-laughs-it-off.htm|archive-date=30 May 2008}}</ref> On 18 May 2008, Evans attended [[RM Auctions]]/[[Sotheby's]] [[Ferrari]] auction in [[Maranello]], Italy, and bought a 1961 [[Ferrari 250#250 GT Spyder California SWB|250 GT Spyder California SWB]] formerly owned by US actor [[James Coburn]] for the then world record price of 6.4&nbsp;million euros. In May 2010 he bought a 1963 [[Ferrari 250 GTO]], one of only thirty-six built, for £12&nbsp;million. Reportedly he sold three Ferraris from his collection to pay for it. He sold it three years later for $25&nbsp;million to a Swiss collector.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/Motor-show--events/Other-shows/Chris-Evans-buys-Ferrari-250-GT-California-for-5m/|title=Chris Evans buys Ferrari 250 GT California for £5m|author=Pollard, Tim|work=Car Magazine|date=19 May 2008|access-date=24 May 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720110157/http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/Motor-show--events/Other-shows/Chris-Evans-buys-Ferrari-250-GT-California-for-5m/|archive-date=20 July 2011}}</ref> In August 2002, Evans was a member of crew aboard the sailing yacht ''Nausicaa'' with six other people, when James Ward – landlord of the White Horse in [[Hascombe]], Surrey, which was then Evans' local pub – drowned in an accident in the [[Solent]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2180279.stm|title=Evans 'saddened' by sea death|work=BBC News|date=8 August 2002|access-date=23 May 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121052355/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2180279.stm|archive-date=21 January 2007}}</ref> In September 2007, Evans and Shishmanian started taking [[helicopter]] lessons at [[Shoreham Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2007/09/18/chris-evans-flying/|title=Chris Evans and wife Natasha fuel romance with chopper lessons|work=Hello|date=18 September 2007|access-date=24 May 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319121814/http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2007/09/18/chris-evans-flying/|archive-date=19 March 2008}}</ref> Evans is a first cousin of the father of former Scottish Rugby internationals [[Max Evans (rugby union)|Max Evans]] and [[Thom Evans]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/scotland/4398899/Thom-Evans-leads-the-way-as-Scotland-rugby-unearth-another-band-of-brothers.html |title=Thom Evans leads the way as Scotland rugby unearth another band of brothers |publisher=Telegraph Media Group Limited |date=31 January 2009 |access-date=13 October 2009 |location=London |first=Brendan |last=Gallagher |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523010121/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/scotland/4398899/Thom-Evans-leads-the-way-as-Scotland-rugby-unearth-another-band-of-brothers.html |archive-date=23 May 2010 }}</ref> Evans is a supporter of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]; he also donated £100,000 to former Labour MP [[Ken Livingstone]]'s mayoral campaign when he stood as an independent candidate in 2000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2000/mar/20/londonmayor.uk |title=Chris Evans gives £100,000 to Livingstone's campaign fund |work=The Guardian |date=20 March 2000 |first=Terri |last=Judd |access-date=29 April 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509045013/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2000/mar/20/londonmayor.uk |archive-date=9 May 2014 }}</ref> Evans is also an Ambassador for [[The Scout Association]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://scouts.org.uk/news/315/enterprise-and-adventure-with-the-entrepreneur-challenge |title=Enterprise and adventure with the Entrepreneur Challenge |publisher=Scouts.org.uk |date=22 July 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212111/http://scouts.org.uk/news/315/enterprise-and-adventure-with-the-entrepreneur-challenge |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}</ref> On 15 November 2016, Evans was awarded an honorary degree from York St Johns University, he was presented this by university's chancellor Archbishop Dr John Sentamu at York Minster. On 3 May 2018, Evans' mother Minnie died, at the age of 92. His Radio 2 Breakfast show was presented, until 8.30, by regular co-presenter [[Vassos Alexander]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43986303 |title=Chris Evans, BBC Radio 2 presenter, pays tribute to mother |work=BBC News |date=3 May 2018 |access-date=3 May 2018}}</ref> ==Shows hosted== The following lists are the main shows Evans has presented: ===Television=== {| class="wikitable" |- style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;" ! Year ! Title ! Channel ! Role |- | 1990–1991 | ''Power Up'' | [[The Power Station (TV channel)|The Power Station]] | Presenter |- | 1991 | ''[[TV Mayhem]]'' | [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] | Presenter |- | 1992–1994 | ''[[The Big Breakfast]]'' | [[Channel 4]] | Co-presenter |- | 1994–1995 | ''[[Don't Forget Your Toothbrush]]'' | [[Channel 4]] | Presenter |- | 1996–2000, 2015 | ''[[TFI Friday]]'' | [[Channel 4]] | Presenter |- |2001 |Bob The Builder : A Christmas To Remember | |Voice Of Lennie Lazenby |- | 2005 | ''[[OFI Sunday]]'' | [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] | Presenter |- | 2009 | [[CBeebies]] Pantomime Jack and Jill | [[CBeebies]] | Narrator |- | 2010–2015 | ''[[The One Show]]'' | [[BBC One]] | Friday Co-presenter |- | 2011 | ''[[Famous and Fearless]]'' | [[Channel 4]] | Co-presenter |- |2011 |Sir Jimmy Savile: As It Happened |BBC1 |Narrator |- |2016 | ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' | [[BBC Two]] | Presenter (1 series) |} ===Radio=== * [[Piccadilly Magic 1152|Piccadilly Radio]], Saturday afternoons & weekday evenings (1986–1987) * [[BBC GLR]], Saturday afternoons, 3–5 pm (1990) * BBC GLR, ''The Greenhouse'', Mondays–Thursdays, 7:30–10 pm (1990) * BBC GLR, ''Round at Chris's'', Saturdays, 10&nbsp;am&nbsp;– 1&nbsp;pm (January 1991– April 1993) * [[BBC Radio 1]], ''Too Much Gravy'', Sundays, 2:30&nbsp;pm&nbsp;– 4&nbsp;pm (March – September 1992) * [[Absolute Radio|Virgin Radio]], Saturday mornings, 10&nbsp;am&nbsp;– 1&nbsp;pm (May -July 1993) * BBC Radio 1, [[The Radio 1 Breakfast Show|Weekday Breakfast Show]], 6:30–9 am (April 1995 – January 1997) * Virgin Radio, Weekday Breakfast Show, 6–10 am (October 1997 – June 2001) * [[BBC Radio 2]], Saturday afternoons, 2–5 pm (September 2005– April 2006) * BBC Radio 2, Weekday Drivetime Show, 5–7 pm (18 April 2006 – 24 December 2009) * BBC Radio 2, Weekday Breakfast Show, 7:00–9:30&nbsp;am (11 January 2010 – 24 September 2010); 6:30–9:30&nbsp;am (11 October 2010 – 24 December 2018)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-45394576|title=Chris Evans to leave Radio 2 for Virgin|last=Savage|first=Mark|date=3 September 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=13 November 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> * [[Virgin Radio UK]], Weekday Breakfast Show, 6:30–10:00&nbsp;am (21 January 2019–present) ==Bibliography== To date, Evans has written three autobiographies: * {{Cite book |title= It's Not What You Think|publisher=Harper Collins|year=2009|isbn=978-0-00-732723-2}} * {{Cite book |title= Memoirs of a Fruitcake|publisher=Harper Collins|year=2010|isbn=978-0-00-734568-7}} (also advertised as ''It's Not About Me: From Billie to Breakfast'') * {{Cite book |title= Call The Midlife|publisher=W&N|year=2015|isbn=978-0297609827}} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Sister project links|wikt=no |commons=Chris Evans (presenter) |b=no |n=no |q=no |s=no |v=no |species=no |display=Chris Evans}} *[https://virginradio.co.uk/shows/the-chris-evans-breakfast-show-with-sky The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky on Virgin Radio UK] *{{IMDb name|0262632}} {{s-start}} {{s-media}} {{succession box | title = [[BBC Radio 1]]<br />Breakfast Show Presenter | years = 1995–1997 | before = [[Steve Wright (DJ)|Steve Wright]] | after = [[Mark and Lard]] }} {{succession box | title = [[BBC Radio 2]]<br />Drivetime Show Presenter | years = 2006–2009 | before = [[Johnnie Walker (DJ)|Johnnie Walker]] | after = [[Simon Mayo]] }} {{succession box | title = [[BBC Radio 2]]<br />Breakfast Show Presenter | years = 2010–2018 | before = [[Terry Wogan]] | after = [[Zoe Ball]] }} {{S-end}}{{Absolute Radio|state=autocollapse}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Evans, Chris}} [[Category:1966 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:BBC Radio 1 presenters]] [[Category:BBC Radio 2 presenters]] [[Category:British car collectors]] [[Category:Drinking establishment owners]] [[Category:English radio DJs]] [[Category:Businesspeople from Lancashire]] [[Category:English television presenters]] [[Category:English television producers]] [[Category:Labour Party (UK) people]] [[Category:People educated at Boteler Grammar School]] [[Category:People from Warrington]] [[Category:Broadcasters from Lancashire]] [[Category:Virgin Radio (UK)]] [[Category:English people of Welsh descent]] [[Category:Top Gear people]]'