I can afford to lose millions, says defiant Evans

Chris Evans today shrugged off his failed multi-million pound damages battle against Virgin Radio – defiantly claiming he could “afford to lose” the cash.

The former DJ and television presenter lost his long-running case against the station on Thursday after a judge ruled his employers were justified in sacking him following a drinking binge.

Today Evans dismissed comments made by Mr Justice Lightman in the British High Court. He called the former owner and star presenter of Virgin Radio a “liar” and a “prima donna”.

In an interview with News of the World he said: “Yes I get drunk, who doesn’t? I can be petulant and a prima donna. So what?

“That’s why I’m successful. It’s called being creative.”

Evans now faces a huge legal bill and another hearing to decide how much he must pay the station for the harm he caused.

Mr Justice Lightman said Evans had breached the terms of his contract, primarily by missing a series of broadcasts after highly-publicised drinking sprees.

But whatever the substantial cost Evans said: “I don’t give a s***. It’s only money. I still have it in the bank and I don’t lose any sleep over it. I can afford to lose it.”

The 37-year-old spoke of his immediate shock at the way his ex-bosses behaved on hearing the judge’s decision.

He said: “I couldn’t believe it. When they came out of court they were shouting ‘Yes!’. If I’d won I’d have said OK and gone home to my wife Billie.

“They’ll be celebrating all night and loving every minute of it.”

In the bitter court battle, which began on March 19 and ended on May 8, Evans claimed that Virgin Radio withheld £8.6m (€12.4m) in share options after terminating his breakfast show contract.

Scottish Media Group, owners of Virgin Radio, initially counter-claimed more than £20m (€29m) from Evans who made a personal fortune of £70m (€101m) when he sold the station to SMG.

The media group said Evans was not unfairly dismissed but breached the terms of his contract when he failed to turn up for a series of broadcasts because he was too hungover to present his show.

The ginger-haired presenter was also accused of disobeying management orders to play selected records and refusing to take part in promotions.

“This case has been going on for more than two years and I’m glad it’s over,” Evans said.

“I never got myself emotionally involved but I was kept up to date. If I did I would have gone mad.”

Referring to his wife he said: “It didn’t put any strain on my marriage, we just got on with it and Billie’s been great.

“We’re a great partnership and it isn’t ever going to change.

“All I’m saying is I’ll be back. I’m going to be doing bigger, better things.”