Chris Evans isn’t the Only One to Rise Again
This week, those in the UK at least, have been flooded with reports in the press about the news that one of our favorite red headed heroes has landed his dream job. 20 years after his spectacular fall from grace, Chris Evans has been offered the job as Top Gear presenter, taking over from Jeremy Clarkson after his sensational sacking only three months ago.
The ex TFI Friday host first found fame as the host of the Channel 4 TV show The Big Breakfast in the early 90s, followed by landing the much coveted role as host of the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show. However, fame was no friend of Evans and after a 17 hour pub crawl, he rocked up to his radio show still drunk and so began his very public fall from grace. His alcohol problems would take a lot more than just a day’s pay away from him. TFI Friday was to end and Chris admitted publicly on air that he was medically unfit for radio. It wasn’t until 2005 that Evans started to present one-off radio shows on air again and after years of working his way back up the ladder Chris landed the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 in 2010. After his very public termination, Evans worked hard to prove himself and as a result, this week was offered a three year contract as presenter for the new Top Gear.
With his good news now spreading around social media, at The Glass House we couldn’t help but reflect on those who have managed similar feats. Those who have fallen heavily from an incredible height only to rise from the ashes once more.
So here are a list of 8 celebs who have managed to win back our hearts.
1: Robert Downey Jnr.
No one does a wagon dive quite as well as Robert Downey Jr. His plethora of arrests back in the 1990s became a running joke and during his foray into the dark side he admitted to trying almost every drug under the sun. However, after multiple stints in rehab and a year-long prison stay, Downey Jr. cleaned up his act and in 2008 starred in the first of what was to be many blockbusters. Iron Man catapulted him back into fame and won him a loyal fan base with many comic book hero film adaptations quickly following suit.
2: Drew Barrymore
The sweet angelic E.T starlet really took the whole ‘child star’ thing a little too far and ended up in rehab at the tender age of 13 after two separate suicide attempts. After hitting rock bottom at such a young age, Barrymore spent more than ten years turning her life around before finding her true self with films such as Wayne’s World 2, Batman Forever and Charlie’s Angels. Nowadays Drew is a hot ticket in Hollywood and one of Adam Sandler’s preferred actresses to work with. From the girl who nearly lost it all before her teens to Hollywood’s favourite Forever Girl, Drew has certainly earned her badge of honor from the Celebrity Comeback Community.
3: David Beckham
Now, if you are anything like me, you will be a little surprised to see this heartthrob’s name on The Glasshouse Naughty List… but rest assured he has one of the most amazing comeback stories of all. Rebecca Loos. Remember that name? The world’s sexiest man and most famous footballer did in fact fall from his pedestal back in 2004. Despite being married to the beautiful Posh Spice, David fell for his sexy personal assistant and nearly ruined his marriage in the process. At the time David got a lot of stick, but thanks to the amazing work of his PR team, and the support of his unwavering wife, David quickly got back in our good graces. Over a decade later most of us don’t even remember that he was once in our bad books. But then, really… how could you not forgive that gorgeous face!
4: Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart is a household name. She is now known for her lifestyle tips and homely exploits, but after spending five months in jail for conspiracy, fraud and illegal stock trading, how on earth did this woman crawl back out of the ashes? Immediately after her release from prison, Martha stood tall and proud, put her big girl pants on and walked straight back into her company, Martha Stewart Living. Her comeback was perfectly organised and orchestrated and landed her a television series The Martha Stewart Show. Several book deals and a stint on The Apprentice later, Martha shows no signs of slowing down or letting her fall from grace effect her global domination. Grit, balls and determination… in our minds she is a true Glass House Girl.
5: Robbie Williams
The Take That heartthrob lived his whole life under a microscope since joining the globally loved boy band. But for Robbie, living with the fame was at times just too hard. His weight fluctuated, his excessive drinking became an issue and he broke the hearts of millions of fans when he split away from the group back in 1995. It was a long hard road for the ex-boy band member, but he worked hard to win back the hearts of the public and released album after album. Despite public breakdowns and incredibly public rows with countless celebrities, Robbie has managed to stay in favour with his fans and is now happily married with two beautiful children. Despite battling with mental health issues, alcohol, drug and self esteem issues, Robbie Williams stands proud as one of the most successful members of the Comeback Club.
6: Britney Spears
Britney’s meltdown was so spectacular, we still use her name today… “she’s gonna do a Britney”. After her epic public meltdown back in 2008, Britney was placed in a psychiatric ward under involuntary hold. Highly unsurprising after she shaved her head and married a random stranger just for kicks. Since her breakdown, Britney has worked incredibly hard to build her reputation back up again. After regaining right of custody of her two sons and recently serving as a judge on X Factor America, the 31 year old is now working on her eighth studio album. With the whole world seemingly sat on the edge of their seats waiting for this poor girl to break again, Britney is shining brightly back in the limelight and (so far) proving us all wrong.
7. Hugh Grant
Oh Hugh, what did you do? You had the World’s Most Lusted After Woman, Liz Hurley, on your arm, in THAT dress; you had those cheeky come-to-bed eyes and that smirk full of promise, and of course you stared in some of the 1990’s funniest films around… and then you got caught. In 1995 not only was Britain’s best known bachelor caught with his pants down, but his manhood was found in the mouth of a street hooker in LA by the name of Divine Brown. He wanted down and dirty and he got it, and that infamous mug shot said it all (oh the shame!). Divine has since become a millionairess off the back of the scandal, but it took Hugh a while to win back his ‘wholesome cheeky chappy’ reputation. But as stars before him have proven, he quickly bounced back and is still landing big Hollywood roles – from Bridget Jones to Notting Hill – which have made us love him again. Even Liz Hurley is still talking to him… so he must be doing something right!
8: Kylie Minogue
Everyone’s favorite pint sized pop princess Kylie started her career as Charlene Mitchell in Aussie TV show Neighbours before making her move into pop music (with Jason Donovan by her side, remember him?) in 1987. It wasn’t long before her light started to dim and soon she was all but a faint memory… that was until 2000 when she hit back on our screen shaking her perfectly pert booty in her hit Spinning Around. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, Kylie took a well deserved break but has since rejoined her touring circuit, was signed by Jay-Z’s music label ‘Roc Nation’ and even joined the judging panel with Ricky Wilson, Will.i.am and Tom Jones for The Voice UK. She has more than earned her coveted place in our hearts and in the book of Comeback Queens.
So there you have it, our list of Comeback Kings and Queens… but what about those who are still hiding in the shadows? Here are just a few names of celebs that we really hope get their act together… because their Phoenix-like rise from the ashes could be spectacular.
Lindsey Lohan. Darling. Please turn your life around and leave your pretty face alone!
Miley Cyrus. Gyrating against teddy bears and sticking your tongue out is getting you attention for all the wrong reasons.
Macaulay Culkin. You were such a precious child, and an amazing child actor.. think how incredible you could be now if you just put your mind to it.
Charlie Sheen One of my all time favorite TV shows is now simply not the same. Despite Ashton Kutcher trying his best to fill your shoes, Two And A Half Men was never going to be the same without you. Stop shouting about “winning” and actually try pulling yourself together.
Have I missed anyone out? Do you have someone that you want to applaud for putting their past behind them and coming back as a Come Back Champ? Or anyone on their way down that you want to save before they hit rock bottom – hard?
Because, as Chris Evans has proved this week, no matter how low you go… when you reach the depths of Hell the only way is up. And we will all be waiting for him to cheer him on and wish him luck!
