Evans was petulant and used to getting his own way, said the judge

This case very much focuses on the personality of Mr Evans.

His character plainly emerges from his evidence in the witness box, the autobiography which he is in the course of writing and of which the first 38 pages have been put in evidence, and the evidence of his friends and those who had dealings with him.

Mr Evans is a talented radio performer. His distinctive appearance, spontaneity, inventiveness and irreverence are his trademarks.

He is given to extremes - moderation has no part to play Mr Justice Lightman

He is very experienced in matters of publicity. He knows how to play the media and obtain a good splash.

In... his witness statement he says, 'In terms of publicity I know what I am doing'.

He does not hesitate to telephone the press when he wants a splash in the newspapers or to manipulate the media to convey the message he chooses.

As he says in his autobiography, in all he does, whether work, play or drink, he will do it 'to the absolute nth degree'.

Despite his confident front, he is very insecure in himself Mr Justice Lightman

He is given to extremes - moderation has no part to play. Drinking to excess is part of his lifestyle. He is a binge drinker.

He told me with pride and no trace of embarrassment that more often than not he presented the show with a hangover.

He has a reputation for laddish behaviour, including drunkenness.

Despite his confident front, he is very insecure in himself and as a consequence frequently (but not invariably) has recourse to any means (legitimate or otherwise) to avoid confrontation or unpleasant or unpalatable situations.

Others who know him and want any continuing future relationship with him must necessarily likewise avoid any confrontation or cause for upsetting him.

The judge said Evans had "the temperament of a prima donna"

To achieve what he wants without confrontation, he is manipulative and has resort to any means, fair or foul, to achieve his ends.

His success and character have combined to create a personality making him strong-willed and both accustomed to and insistent on getting his own way.

He is petulant and given to sulking and walking away from situations whenever he considers himself thwarted.

He is not ready to make concessions to others.

He is a person who cannot tolerate either criticism or the exercise by management of authority over what he does.

As he told me in his evidence, newspapers were necessary to provide topicality for the show, but in May 2001 the team had instructions to cut out any articles critical of him and any bad publicity before he saw them.

He always expects and demands compliance with his wishes Mr Justice Lightman

He agreed with the diagnosis of his doctor that he found intolerable any conflict between the exercise of his creative talent and any perceived interference with his freedom of action by the exercise of authority by management.

He was spoiled during the period between his purchase and sale of Virgin Radio, for during that period he was effectively the owner of Virgin Radio and accordingly the management.

He could never acclimatise to a more subordinate role after the sale. He has the temperament of a prima donna. He always expects and demands compliance with his wishes.

Memory

He has a low 'tolerance' threshold and he has a marked propensity displayed throughout his career of 'walking out' on his contractual commitments when (as he perceives it) the going gets hard.

Mr Evans in the course of his evidence on critical episodes and issues professed no recollection of events.

When I asked him about the quality of his powers of recollection, he told me that indeed he did have a terrible memory.

That part of his evidence I fully accept. Beyond this where it suited his purposes, he had resort to lies.

He was an unimpressive witness more concerned with advocacy and making an impression than answering questions.