Farewell to inspirational Steve Evans - hear his last interview
Inspirational father Steve Evans, who shared his story of living with incurable cancer with thousands of people over the internet, has died. Daniel Wainwright reports.
It is the worst possible journey anyone can make – but Steve Evans was far from alone when it came to the end after winning the hearts of millions of radio listeners.
The inspirational father of two from the Midlands died last night. He spoke candidly in the last few months of the incurable stomach cancer he lived with for two years and that he knew would eventually take his life.
The remarkable sense of humour and courage he showed throughout his illness captured the hearts of the nation.
More than 25,000 people followed the 52-year-old on Twitter and he regularly appeared on Richard Bacon's Radio Five Live show and the BBC Breakfast programme to document his experiences.
In the past few days, as he became increasingly weak, Steve's tweets were dictated to an old school friend, John Price, who had been helping out whenever he could.
On Sunday many followers began to say goodbye as Steve revealed he was reaching the end of what he called his "journey".
This week his final broadcast with Richard Bacon was aired, during which he paid tribute to his wife Septina.
Mr Bacon said Steve, from Wolverhampton, first went on the programme last April and the pair had become friends. He said: "The reaction was so astonishing that we thought we should make him part of the programme.
"He wrote some tweets over the weekend that were upsetting about how weak he's become. It's the third time I've been to see him. We had a chat and he was very weak. But he said let's record an interview."
From his bed, Steve said: "There's still a little bit of whispering going on, my friend, but I want everyone to know what it's like.
"It's a happy place but it's a place, my friend, where they come in, they leave but it's not the same way, I'm afraid.
"It's a very, very arduous time. What is happening now is my body is closing down."
Steve had only believed he would make it to April 2013, but was overjoyed to have spent Christmas with his wife Septina and their daughters Megan, 25, and Lauren, 20, at home. A former building surveyor with Wolverhampton City Council, he was also a magician with the Magic Circle and was well known for compering stand-up comedy at the Wolverhampton Civic Halls.
He was so well-liked by the staff and performers that his name was added to a wall of fame alongside the likes of Noddy Holder.
Praising his wife during his final interview on Monday, Steve added: "I'm lucky, very lucky, purely because of the existence of a woman called Septina. She's the other half of me.
"I've got my eyes closed and I'm trying as hard as I possibly can to manifest the words. They are so difficult to get out, purely because the help you receive comes in the form of a medication package that's given daily. I have a friend by the side of me, John Price.
"He is my clearest friend, one of my oldest, dearest friends. The different ways they have fitted into my life has been quite amazing. Without him I wouldn't have survived."
