- Derrick Evans
-
Derrick Evans Born Derrick Errol Evans
15 November 1952
Pike, Manchester, JamaicaOther names Mr Motivator Occupation Fitness Guru & Motivational speaker Known for Mr Motivator exercise routines on GMTV Television GMTV Spouse Sandra Evans (known as Palmer) 1996 - Present Children Carolyne, Ebony, James, Abigail Parents Adopted Derrick Errol Evans (born 15 November 1952), better known as "Mr. Motivator", is a Jamaican-born British exercise instructor. He rose to fame in the early 1990s through appearances on the UK breakfast television show GMTV, where he dressed in tight, colourful spandex outfits. Responding to the popularity of his segment, he released a number of fitness and workout videos in the 1990s.
He left the show in 2000 but an attempt to launch his own show failed and he disappeared from British screens. He continued to make personal appearances at events in the UK for the following decade. Evans returned to GMTV as Mr Motivator in 2009 for a three-week-long special to promote the public health programme Change4Life.[1]
Contents
Early life and career
Evans was born in Manchester, Jamaica on 15 November 1952 and moved to Leicester in the UK in 1961. Evans found fame on the British breakfast television broadcaster GMTV in the early 1990s as Mr. Motivator, promoting health and fitness as a way of life. He performed fitness routines live on-air in highly-coloured outfits, which quickly became his trademark. His appearances on GMTV led to Evans becoming (as Mr Motivator) one of the most famous fitness instructors in the UK, a position he still holds today.
Evans' popularity on GMTV led to the release of a number of fitness videos including Mr. Motivator's 10 Minute BLTs, Mr. Motivator's 10 Minute Workouts, Body Conditioner: Shot in Barbados, BLT2: Shot in Australia, and Bums Legs & Tums. He still holds the record for most fitness DVD sales in the UK ever.[citation needed]
After leaving GMTV, Derrick Evans continued to release fitness videos, as well as making personal appearances, compering sales conferences, instructing team building exercises, and motivational talks for companies and organisations. In his personal appearance work, he is famous for his catchphrases 'Be happy!' , 'Get wicked!', 'Everybody say yeah!' and 'everybody say HUH!'.
At the beginning of 2007 Evans made a comeback to TV, advertising with his all new BLT workout. The exercise video focuses on the bums, legs and tums areas, and combines dance steps and original music. He also wrote about revolutionary methods in which you can exercise these areas The video was shot in Jamaica.
In 2008, Derrick Evans begun to make more and more appearances, particularly in the UK, including a special club night at Jesters Nightclub (part of the Clowns Winebar and Jesters Nightclub complex), in Southampton, famous with the students from the University of Southampton. He has also recently visited Nottingham Trent University as part of a club night held in the university's Student Union building.
Recent career
Derrick Evans lives with his wife & youngest daughter in St Ann, Jamaica, dividing his time between Jamaica and the UK. In addition to his media, motivational and fitness work, Evans and his family own and operate H'Evans Scent, an ecotourism resort, and PaintSplat, Jamaica's first paintball operation.
Mr Motivator appeared at the 2010 Bestival on the Isle of Wight as a special guest on the main stage. He performed a fitness routine whilst encouraging the crowd to join in and generally increase the amount of exercise they do and their enjoyment of doing it.
On 4 December 2008 it was announced that Evans would be returning to GMTV in 2009 as part of their new keep-fit campaign. This news led to Evans meeting the former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, in promotion of the NHS Change4Life campaign. Evans will also soon be releasing his autobiography, which will chronicle his story of growing up in Jamaica, rising to stardom on British television, and beyond.[2][3]
Charity work
In 2007 Mr Motivator presented Move It For MS, an exercise DVD for people with multiple sclerosis produced by the MS Trust. He described working with people with MS as "One of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Movement and exercise makes people feel good, valued and puts a smile on everyone's face."[4]
In 2009 Derrick Evans started supporting Breakthrough Breast Cancer joining the Breakthrough Running Club as a celebrity expert, helping motivate runners of all standards [1].
On the 12th June 2009 Mr Motivator entertained the crowds at the Manchester Midnight Walk in aid of St Ann's Hospice, performing routines and then starting the walk off at midnight.
Personal life
Mr Motivator is a lifelong supporter of the English football team Bristol Rovers.
References
- ^ Clements, Jo (2009-01-05). Mr Motivator returns to GMTV in Lycra after nine-year absence... and looks in even better shape. Daily Mail. Retrieved on 2011-01-25.
- ^ "Mr Motivator to return to GMTV". Digital Spy. 2008-12-04. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a137481/mr-motivator-to-return-to-gmtv.html. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
- ^ "PM swaps tips with Mr Motivator". bbc.co.uk. 2009-01-06. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7816657.stm. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
- ^ "Move it for MS!". Way Ahead 11 (4): 1. October 2007. http://www.mstrust.org.uk/professionals/information/wayahead/articles/11042007_03.jsp. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
External links
- MrMotivator.com Derrick Evans official site
Categories:- 1952 births
- Living people
- Exercise instructors
- GMTV presenters and reporters
- People from Manchester Parish
- People from Leicester
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
