Chris Evans 'offered £3m to quit Virgin Radio'

Chris Evans claims he has been banned by Virgin Radio and offered £3m to leave his job for good.

The breakfast show DJ has been off 'sick' for five days, but has been spotted out drinking with his wife Billie Piper.

Virgin Radio says it will make an announcement today about Evans's future, but he says he has been offered a lump sum to quit.

He said: "The offer is supposed to mean that I don't talk to anyone or do any work until March.

"But they can stuff that. I don't want their money. I want my freedom and I want to carry on doing the job that I love.

"Money has never been that important to me. Why do you think I get up at 4am every day to do it when I've got £75m in the bank? I do it because I love it."

He claims to have received a formal letter from the Scottish Media Group, which bought his company last year, saying his behaviour had "embarrassed and humiliated" them.

The DJ says a doctor can verify he has not been well enough to work, but refused to say exactly what the problem was.

Virgin issued a statement yesterday saying: "We are examining all of the options available to us. Chris is unwell. We're liaising with his agent."