Chris Evans
Presenter from 28th September 1992 until 29th September 1994.
The man who made breakfast - Chris proved himself a very hard act to follow, it wasn't until Johnny Vaughan five years later that anyone comfortably fitted Chris's shoes.
Chris joined the Big Breakfast as an unknown. He had been seen on TVAM's TV Mayhem and had previously held many jobs including Tarzanogram, and Timmy Mallet's teaboy.
On September 28th 1992 The Big Breakfast and Chris Evans were launched onto the nation. He became very popular very quickly and soon had a Saturday morning show on Virgin radio. By 1993 had Chris launched his own company Ginger Productions which produced C4's highly successful and much missed Don't Forget Your Toothbrush. Chris continued to host the brekkie while producing/hosting DFYTB but only appeared on the show three times a week leaving his seat to be filled by Mark Little. It didn't last long, on 29th September 1994 Chris left The Big Breakfast going on to produce TFI Friday and of course the Radio One Breakfast Show.
Things took a turn for the worst when the UK press took a dislike to Chris after a number of comments he made on the show were unsuitable for the listening audience. He quit Radio One after falling out with Matthew Bannister the station's boss and soon landed a 10-week deal to host the Virgin Radio Breakfast Show under the same format. (Though sadly without the 4DJ postcode to sing!)
It was at this point that Ginger productions was asked to come up with a new format for Channel 4's breakfast show. Yes believe it or not ratings were so low the axe was hanging over The Big Brekkie - if it wasn't for Johnny Vaughan Chris could well have his own brekkie show on C4 by now!
Chris enjoyed his time at Virgin so much that he used his production company, now Ginger Media, to buy the station from Richard Branson. Over the years Chris sold off his share in Virgin and was eventually fired from the station for failing to turn up to his morning show. He dissapeared from the television for a few years and started life with his new bride, teen popstar Billie Piper.
In 2002 Chris made a return to television - this time behind the camera - with C4s Boys & Girls and five's 'Live With' & Terry & Gaby and also producing Live with Chris Moyles. By April 2004 all his shows had been axed. It wasn't a huge set back though.
Chris returned to the medium that he is most comfortable with - Radio. Starting off with a Saturday show on Radio 2 he was soon promoted to the daily drivetime slot. In 2010 Terry Wogan, presenter of the world's most popular radio show retired leaving the hot seat open for Chris Evans to return to breakfast. Its position that to date means he's waking up 9 million listeners every day - on Britian's brightest breakfast show. It must be fate?
Chris Evans' two autobiographies giving insight into his amazing career & even his time on The Big Breakfast are available on Amazon.co.uk
