Industry pays respects to Rich Evans

Tributes are being paid to former Channel 4 commissioning executive Rich Evans who has died of cancer at the age of 51.

Evans was a commissioner at the BBC and C4 before he joined Fishing Impossible indie Alaska in 2016 as creative director, working on factual and factual entertainment formats. 

Most recently, in 2019 he became co-founder and creative director of production company Simple Beast where he produced radio, podcasts and video content for the BBC, brands and charities.

Kevin Mundye, its managing director, said “Rich was a creative firepower, incredibly bright and witty and always able to bring huge experience and wisdom as well as a unique perspective on the world to any project. Everyone loved working with him, he was a kind soul, and I will miss him very much.”

Numerous industry figures paid tribute to Evans, including managing director of ITV Studios Entertainment Angela Jain, who  said: “Everyone who knows Rich knows what a funny, charismatic and worldly man he was.  

“I first met him very early on in his TV career and knew then he would be a friend for life. Rich lived life to the full, lighting up every room he walked into, telling stories with panache and humour, in ridiculous detail and with style.

“He will be enormously missed by so many colleagues, who had the immense privilege of working with him and now cannot imagine a world without him. My heartfelt condolences are with his family and friends at this impossibly sad time.”

AppleTV+ European creative director Jay Hunt worked with Evans in her former role as C4’s chief creative officer and paid tribute to his “mischievous wit” and “brilliant eye for what made great TV”.  

“He was a talented commissioner and a joy to work with. I’ll miss him,” she added.  

Alaska’s managing director Chris Fouracre said: “Rich was a lovely, creative and funny man. We are all shocked and saddened by his passing and send our love and thoughts to his family.” 

’Creative, energising and enthusiastic’

In his former role as BBC commissioning executive producer in features, Evans oversaw Countryfile’s 2009 move into primetime and looked after DIY:SOS the Big Build, Nigel Slater’s Simple Supper and The Boat that Guy Built. After joining C4 in 2012, he ordered series including Jamie and Jimmy’s ‪Friday Night Feast and Heston’s Great British Food.  

Managing director of Jamie Oliver Media Group Zoe Collins said: “Jamie, the team and I are completely shocked and saddened. Rich was a creative, energising and enthusiastic force to work with and a constantly joyful presence, particularly at the end of Southend pier when we were filming Friday Night Feast.

“In later years, his fun personality meant that he also became a good friend and I have many happy memories of gossiping and giggling over a glass or two of wine. He will be greatly missed and our love goes out to his close friends and family.” 

Minnow Films’ head of constructed factual Liam Humphreys was head of factual entertainment during Evans’ time at C4 and called him “talented, insightful, collaborative and off-the-chart funny” and “the finest friend a person could have”.  

“He stood out from the TV crowd and not just because of his sartorial style. His passion and energy knew no bounds and he lit up every room. Often our department couldn’t get going in the morning because we’d be too busy laughing with him about the previous night’s shenanigans,” he said. 

“Rich had a gift for bringing the best out of C4 fact ent’s formidable roster of on-screen talent, and a great knack of spotting and backing a popular idea which he then helped bring to life with creativity, flair and abundant wit.” 

Netflix’s director of EMEA creative strategy Lucy Leveugle was deskmates with Evans during her time as a fellow C4 commissioning executive. She said: “He had a knack for working with talent who all became very fond of him, as we all were. He was a smart, funny man; witty with such a brilliant way with words - Rich-isms as we called them. I shall miss him very much. Thoughts are with his family.” 

C4’s head of live events and commissioning editor for reality & entertainment Tom Beck added: “Rich was witty, wicked, and consistently, creatively mischievous. He made Channel 4 more interesting and he made it more fun.”

Former BBC commissioning editor Alison Kirkham, now Apple TV+ unscripted commissioner, said: “more than being just a wonderful commissioner, he was a wonderful person.” 

She added: “Rich was hugely creative, without any pretension, focused only on the audience. Full of warmth, energy, positivity and always wearing a huge smile. You wanted to be in his presence, and knew you’d be better for any time spent with him. It is incredibly sad news.” 

Freelancer Steven D Wright worked with Evans on the C4 series Around the World in 80 Raves back in 2000.  

“It was a very difficult and full-on documentary series in America,” he said. “We were beset by logistical and editorial problems but luckily Richard was heroically talented and so good with both the contributors and the camera.

“Richard shot 90% of the footage and basically saved the entire series. He was a great person and a hard worker with a larger-than-life personality. He will be greatly missed by everyone in TV.”