Emotions run high as Evans takes the stand over £1m

THERE was laughter and tears as former DJ Chris Evans admitted in court he was capable of a “bitter and self-centred display of arrogance”.

Evans yesterday took the stand in his stg£1m action against Virgin Radio. The star is suing the station following his sacking in June 2001, for loss of share options valued at £8.6m he says he was entitled to.

But Virgin owner Scottish Media Group (SMG) says Mr Evans gave it no choice but to dismiss him for breaching his contract.

Mr Evans, 36, was fired by Virgin after failing to turn up for work five days in a row. He said he was ill, but was pictured at a pub with his now-wife Billie Piper during his leave.

SMG says Mr Evans deliberately went out of his way to embarrass Virgin because he could not accept that he was no longer in charge of the station, having sold it to the company.

But asked by barrister Geoffrey Vos, representing SMG, about the content of the breakfast show, Mr Evans said he had full control.

"I changed records from day one and I changed records the last day I was there. They never once said to me you can't do that," said Mr Evans.

But Mr Vos said SMG did not agree with his version, suggesting he was told to "please play the right records".

Mr Evans told the court he was contracted to host the breakfast show from Monday to Thursday, but often presented "unpaid" on Fridays.

Asked about the holidays and time off he took during his time at Virgin he said he "didn't really care about holidays" because he got sunburnt and bored.

"Holidays to me were then not an issue," he said.

SMG alleges Mr Evans sometimes did not turn up for work because he had a hangover.

Mr Evans contends he was off sick because he was suffering stress over his treatment by Virgin.

Mr Vos asked Mr Evans: "You would accept that you do everything to the nth degree?

"You work hard and you play hard. When you get drunk you get rip-roaringly drunk? You are an extreme person?"

Mr Evans replied to laughter: "Yes. But I had a drink yesterday and I didn't get drunk."

Mr Vos also accused Mr Evans of lapping up the press attention, particularly over his sacking.

"I would not accept that," he replied.

"Nobody likes press intrusion but if it helps me to get what I want and do what I do, then I have to have it. But I would rather not have it."

Asked about incidents where he had attacked management on the breakfast show, Mr Evans replied: "If it is going to get the ratings up, frankly it doesn't matter."

Evans, 36, earlier broke down in the witness box. He became emotional as he talked about the team he had worked with for six years, first at Radio One and then Virgin Radio.

He told the packed court: "We had been through hell and high water together births, marriages and deaths, literally."

His voice choking with emotion, he then removed his glasses to wipe away tears. After leaving the witness box of the packed courtroom, he again removed his glasses and was seen to wipe away tears.

The case continues.