Evans sues for lost Virgin shares

Chris Evans with his pop star wife, Billie Piper

Former DJ Chris Evans is suing his former employer Virgin Radio for share options valued at £8.6m - withheld after his contract was terminated.

Evans, 35, was sacked from Virgin Radio in June after missing a series of broadcasts.

We will be claiming that he breached a contract in a highly public manner

Scottish Media Group

Evans, also well-known as the former presenter of Channel 4's TFI Friday, maintains he was unfairly dismissed.

He is claiming to be entitled to 4,981,420 shares in Scottish Media Group, Virgin radio's owners, and a further 1,245,355 shares in SMG TV.

Media lawyers Harbottle and Lewis have served a High Court writ on behalf of the presenter, who is also claiming damages.

'Counter claims'

A spokeswoman for Scottish Media Group told BBC News Online: "We can confirm that we have received a claim.

"We will be defending the case rigorously and making a number of counter claims.

Evans has had a turbulent career

"We will be claiming that he breached a contract in a highly public manner, and we have evidence to support this," said the spokeswoman.

The case is unlikely to be heard until the spring or summer of 2003.

Evans has had a highly successful but turbulent media career.

His sacking from Virgin Radio came soon after his May marriage to 18-year-old Billie Piper in Las Vegas, 12 months after he first met her on TFI Friday.

Pop star Billie was seen with the presenter visiting their local pub in Hascombe, Surrey, on the day before his sacking, closely followed by reporters and camera crews.