Evans case comes to end

Mr Evans left Virgin in 2001

Broadcaster Chris Evans' High Court action against Virgin Radio's owners, in which he claims he was unfairly dismissed, has ended.

Judgement was reserved by Mr Justice Lightman, who began hearing the case on 19 March.

The former DJ and television presenter was sacked by Virgin, owned by Scottish Media Group (SMG) after he allegedly went on a drinking spree and missed a series of broadcasts of his breakfast show.

Mr Evans claims £8.6m of shares were unfairly withheld, while SMG is counterclaiming more than £20m, alleging he damaged the company's business.

Geoffrey Vos QC, representing SMG, accused Mr Evans, of "overbearing arrogance and conceit" and bringing about his own downfall.

The company claims he acted unprofessionally.

His split with the station came a month after his marriage to pop singer Billie Piper in Las Vegas in May 2001.

Mr Evans is claiming management at Virgin Radio put him under so much pressure he was forced to leave.

No date has been set for Mr Justice Lightman's judgement.