Gareth Richards

Gareth Richards
Born(1979-08-18)18 August 1979
Died7 April 2023(2023-04-07) (aged 43)
London, England
Websitegarethrichards.net

Gareth Richards (18 August 1979[1] – 7 April 2023) was a British comedian and radio presenter.[2]

Career

Richards was co-host of The Frank Skinner Show on Absolute Radio.[3] He appeared on such BBC shows as Russell Howard's Good News and 4 Stands Up as well as BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4.[4]

His debut Edinburgh Fringe show, Stand Up Between Songs, was nominated for the best newcomer award at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. The songs from this show were released as an EP, titled These Songs Could be Used in Adverts.[5]

From 2016 to 2017, he hosted Gareth Richards' Lonely Hearts Podcast with David Trent.[6]

Personal life and death

A memorial to Richards at Elstree Screen Arts Academy, May 2023.

Richards lived in Bournemouth with his wife and children.[7] His brother is the cinematographer Joshua James Richards.[8]

Richards was a musician, featuring songs written using the omnichord in his stand-up routines. He also played the Qchord, guitar and harmonica.[9]

On 27 March 2023, Richards was involved in a car crash on the M25 motorway near Heathrow Airport; he suffered severe brain injuries and was placed on life support.[3] He died on 7 April when his life support was removed.[10]

A crowdfunder to set up a trust fund for his sons raised over £18,000 in the first few days,[11] and as of 26 June 2023 had raised over £47,000.[12]

At the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023, comedian friends Mark Simmons and Danny Ward staged "A Show for Gareth Richards" in his name, including Frank Skinner, Stewart Lee and Jack Whitehall. The show won the first Victoria Wood award at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2023[13] and raised almost £20,000 for Richards' family.[14]

Awards

References

  1. ^ "Appeal for witnesses to fatal collision on M25". Met Police. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Tributes paid to 'kind and gentle' comedian Gareth Richards after death at age 41". Oxford Mail. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Comedian Gareth Richards dies after car crash". BBC News. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  4. ^ Gibb, Jessica; Knox, Susan; Hainey, Fionnula (8 April 2023). "Comedian Gareth Richards dies aged 41 after 'terrible' car crash". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  5. ^ "These Songs Could be Used in Adverts EP, by Gareth Richards".
  6. ^ https://archive.org/details/podcast_gareth-richards-lonely-hearts_1189550163
  7. ^ "Tributes pour in as Bournemouth comedian dies after serious car crash". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  8. ^ Stolworthy, Jacob (3 April 2023). "Frank Skinner tearfully reveals former co-host Gareth Richards is 'fighting' for his life". Independent. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  9. ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/26838200-Gareth-Richards-These-Songs-Could-Be-Used-In-Adverts
  10. ^ Zeldin-O'Neill, Sophie (8 April 2023). "UK comedians pay tribute to Gareth Richards after his death at 41". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Gareth Richards crowdfunder tops £18k : News 2023 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide".
  12. ^ https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gareth-richards-comedian
  13. ^ "2023 Winners".
  14. ^ "Crash tragedy comedian honoured with Fringe award". BBC News. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  15. ^ "2023 Winners".
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