Gareth Richards demise: Frank Skinner pays tribute to ‘variety, light, humorous, fascinating’ former radio co-host

Frank Skinner has paid tribute to comic Gareth Richards as he launched a particular version of a podcast that includes the most effective bits of the radio present they co-hosted.

Richards’ demise was introduced yesterday virtually two weeks after he suffered mind accidents in a motorway crash.

Describing Richards as a “former colleague and dear friend”, Skinner mentioned: “There’s been lots of beautiful messages about Gareth and his family have been very kind to us and kept us informed about the details of his struggle but look, Gareth didn’t make it.

“Gareth did not make it and we’ll miss him intensely.

“He was a really variety, light, humorous, fascinating man and I am unable to imagine that he…

“Today’s show features Gareth’s best bits but you are allowed to cry but you have to laugh as well, I think he would have insisted on that.”

Skinner and Richards labored collectively through the early days of the Saturday morning present on Absolute Radio.

In a submit on social media paying tribute, Richards’ spouse mentioned: “He was in a terrible car accident on Monday 27 March at 11.30pm and sustained serious brain injuries.

“It was a miracle that he arrived on the hospital alive.

“Since then, the doctors and nurses have been incredible and have kept him in a stable and sedated condition.

“However, the most recent scan revealed that the extent of the injury was so extreme that they must take away all the supportive drugs and permit him to be at peace.”

Read extra:
Gareth Richards, comedian and former radio co-host dies of brain injuries

‘We will miss him greatly’

The comedian had his first ever gig in October 2004, aboard the Wibbly Wobbly Boat, a venue compered by alternative comedy veteran Malcolm Hardy.

His success led to him becoming a finalist in the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year 2007 competition, and a runner-up in the Amused Moose Laugh-Off 2007.

In 2010 the comedian went on to lead his first solo stand-up on “Stand Up Between Songs” at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Richards was also nominated for Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer.

During his career, Richards also appeared on Russell Howard’s Good News, Live at the Electric on BBC Three and children’s TV panel show The Dog Ate My Homework on CBBC.

He later joined Skinner’s award-winning radio show for two years.

Tributes poured in from heartbroken fans, friends and family, following the announcement of his death.

On Saturday The Frank Skinner Show tweeted: “We are heartbroken concerning the lack of our pricey good friend, Gareth. We will miss him significantly.”

Emily Dean, a co-host of Skinner’s podcast, said: “God I’ll miss you Gareth Richards – my hilarious, unfailingly variety, light, stunning good friend. So grateful to have recognized you.”

Skinner struggled for phrases as he instructed listeners how Richards was preventing for his life after a “very large highway accident” final weekend.

‘I’m completely gutted’

Fellow comedian Joe Lycett posted: “When I did my first hour at the Edinburgh Festival, I shared my venue with Gareth Richards.

“He was on after me and was usually the primary individual I noticed once I got here off stage. He wasn’t having the most effective time of it that 12 months however he was at all times beneficiant and comforting regardless of presumably attempting to give attention to his personal imminent present.

“We giggled together on and off over the last decade and reconnected more actively in the last couple of years, and I felt like he was getting to a happy and more honest place with who he was.

“He’d been very courageous. I’m completely gutted about his demise and am so unhappy for his household.

“His last WhatsApp message to me contains amongst other things, the words ‘love you’. I didn’t say it back then and I should have: love you too, G. X”