Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Chris Evans explains why he’s been absent from television in recent years

DJ’s TV credits include ‘Big Breakfast, ‘TFI Friday’ and ‘Top Gear’

Jacob Stolworthy
Sunday 12 February 2023 11:19 EST
Comments
Chris Evans announced as new Top Gear host

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Chris Evans has appeared to make a surprise announcement regarding his career.

The former Big Breakfast and Top Gear host reportedly said he will “limit” himself to radio during a chat with a fan.

His alleged answer is said to have come in response to a fan who asked if he would be on TV in the future.

According to The Mirror, Evans said of future TV stints: “No can do. Family time is everything to me.”

He reportedly added: “Radio in the AM is my limit.”

The broadcaster is married to Natasha Shishmanian, and the couple have four children together.

The Independent has contacted Evans for comment.

Evans has been a fixture on television since the early 1990s, when he co-presented The Big Breakfast.

After departing the series in 1994, the same year he hosted Channel 4’s Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush,, Evans started presenting TFI Friday for four years, from 1996 to 2000.

In the 2010s, he regularly presented The One Show as well as the 2016 series of Top Gear.

Chris Evans on ‘Top Gear’
Chris Evans on ‘Top Gear’ (BBC)

He quit after one series due to low ratings, saying at the time: “I feel like my standing aside is the single best thing I can now do to help the cause.”

During the 1990s, he was appointed host of BBC Radio 1’s Breakfast Show in 1995, but resigned live on-air in 1997.

He moved to Virgin Radio from 1997 to 2001 and, after being sacked for “breach of contract”, moved to BBC Radio 2 in 2010, succeeding Sir Terry Wogan as host of the breakfast show.

Evans returned to Virgin Radio, where he has been presenting the Weekday Breakfast Show since January 2019.

Evans was previously married to Loose Women star Carol Mcgiffin from 1991 to 1998, and Billie Piper from 2001 to 2007.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in