Top TV stars take on fringe show of fellow comedian who was killed in car crash
A string of top-class comedians are taking to the stage to celebrate the life of a fellow comic who died in a car crash.
Gareth Richards, 41, who co-hosted Frank Skinner’s Absolute Radio show, was due to put on a one-man performance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe but died in April.
Close friends and fellow comedians Mark Simmons and Danny Ward decided to keep Mr Richards’ slot at the festival and put on their own show to celebrate his life.
Other stars came forward, and now the star-studded line-up will include Jack Whitehall, Stewart Lee, Dara Ó Briain and Jo Caulfield.
Skinner paid tribute to his colleague when he headlined the show at the Whistle Binkies pub last week.
He said: “I wanted to do this show because I loved Gareth. I’d known him a long time, we did a radio show together and he supported me on tour twice. I didn’t feel I could be in Edinburgh and not do this show.
“In comedy, there is what they used to call a Blitz mentality in the war, because you always think nobody else knows what it’s like to be up there unless you’ve done it. You become like blood brothers and sisters but Gareth was much loved as well.
“Performing in his slot freaks me out because I would have been coming here to see his show and now I’m at a memorial. It’s a celebration but I’d rather be seeing his show.”
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Stand-up and musician Mr Richards, who was nominated for the Best Newcomer Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2010 and was known for playing the omnichord during his routines, suffered severe brain injuries in a crash on the M25 near Heathrow on March 27.
The father-of-two died on April 7 when his life support was switched off.
A Show For Gareth Richards is on at 4pm every day until August 27.
The shows are free to attend but audiences are invited to donate to the JustGiving page set up for Mr Richards’ two sons, aged 11 and 13, which has so far raised more than £47,000.
