COMEDIAN and radio host Gareth Richards has tragically passed away.
Frank Skinner, a close friend of Richards broke down on his radio show last week when he shared news of the accident.
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Who was Gareth Richards?
Gareth Richards was a comedian who first broke onto the scene when he made the final of Hackney Empire New Act of the Year 2007.
He took stand-up routine to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2010, where his solo act, Stand Up Between Songs, was nominated for the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer award.
Richards has continued to perform in Edinburgh nearly every year since and was due to perform his tenth solo show at the event this year.
What was Gareth Richards’ cause of death?
Gareth Richards was involved a serious car accident on the M25 near Heathrow Airport on March 27, 2023, and has been in hospital, reported Skinner on his Absolute Radio Show.
The Met Police were appealing for witnesses of the incident on April 1.
On Saturday, April 8, Richards’ wife Laura released a statement confirming his death on April 7, giving the reason as ‘serious brain injuries’ sustained during the accident.
What did Frank Skinner say about Gareth Richards?
Comedian Frank Skinner spoke about Gareth’s condition on his radio show on April 1, fighting back tears as he paid tribute to his friend who was ‘in a bad way.’
He said: “Gareth was in a very big road accident this week and… it’s not looking great for Gareth.
“He’s in hospital and he’s fighting but it’s not looking great and I didn’t want to do this show – we didn’t want to do this show without mentioning him.
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“He’s a fantastic bloke and I don’t know if any of you do pray, if you do, give one for Gareth this week.”
Frank explained how he and his radio co-host Emily Dean brought Richards onto the show after its pilot, with the trio working together for two years. Since then, Richards has regularly returned to the show to fill in.
Other comedians have poured in tributes about Richards, including fellow Absolute Radio co-host Angela Barnes, comedian Rhys James and Lucy Beaumont.
Was Gareth Richards married and did he have children?
Gareth Richards had been married to Laura since they tied the knot in 2002.
Despite being fairly private about his life off-stage, the couple had two sons, although not much is known about them.
His wife had been at his bedside since his accident and shared the news of Richards’ death in a statement.
She said: “It is with great sadness that I have to share that Gareth passed away on Friday April 7 (Good Friday) at 6.30pm.
“He was in a terrible car accident on Monday March 27 at 11.30pm and sustained serious brain injuries.
“It was a miracle that he arrived at the hospital alive.
Since then, the doctors and nurses have been incredible and have kept him in a stable and sedated condition.
“However, the latest scan revealed that the extent of the damage was so severe that they would have to remove all of the supportive medications and allow him to be at peace.
“The boys are bearing up well.”
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