Evans to boost career with Wonderbra man

Chris Evans is working on a new creative agency with controversial advertising guru Trevor Beattie, it is revealed today.

Evans is hoping to revive his fortunes by linking up with the man behind the Wonderbra and FCUK campaigns, as well as film producer Matthew Vaughn.

While Evans's estranged wife Billie Piper has been praised for her performances in Dr Who, the former presenter's attempts at a television comeback have bombed.

His production company UMTV has struggled in the past 12 months after a string of flops.

Beattie, who has been behind Labour Party campaigns for the last two general elections, has resigned as chairman and creative director of advertising agency TBWA.

He and Evans plan to set up a business specialising in advertising, exhibi t ions, films and "branded content" - TV programming and entertainment with commercial messages.

He claims already to have a film project in development with Vaughn and his wife, supermodel Claudia Schiffer.

However, Evans's recent track record has not been dazzling.

According to finance director Kirit Doshi, UMTV barely stayed in the black last year after shows including Live with Chris Moyles, Boys and Girls and The Terry and Gaby Show were all axed.

UMTV was set up in Camden as a production vehicle for Evans's return to TV after his 18-month "honeymoon" with Piper, from whom he split last year. But the flops led to suggestions the 39-yearold star has lost his touch.

Evans has still rewarded himself handsomely. UMTV's accounts show the controlling shareholder received a £400,000 dividend and a fee for "production services" of £352,250.

The accounts also reveal the unnamed highest-paid director, almost certainly Evans, earned £1.06 million.

He was worth about £75 million after the sale of Ginger Media Group in 2000, but has since blown £20 million on an unsuccessful court battle with Virgin. He has also sold his Surrey manor, Hascombe Court, as well as an apartment in Kensington and a family home in Belsize Park.