Simon Evans’ lovely tribute to his mother
The header on this blog features a photo of me and comedian Simon Evans at the Forest Annual Lunch in 2023.
It was taken on the cigar terrace at Boisdale of Belgravia and it’s one of my favourite images because it captures the essence of that event - people enjoying themselves.
A stand-up comedian and writer, Simon was the special guest we hired to give a humorous after lunch speech and he threw himself into the role with what used to be called gay abandon.
Now, it’s not uncommon for professional speakers or after dinner acts to turn up ten minutes before they’re due on, and leave soon after they’ve performed their ‘turn’, avoiding any interaction with other guests. I’ve experienced that first hand and when it happens it’s a bit disappointing.
Simon, however, was different. Not only was he incredibly easy to deal with (he replied to my initial enquiry within minutes, explaining that he was sitting in his car having taken a break en route to a gig), he arrived well before lunch and joined us on the terrace for a drink. He then sat down with us for lunch (that doesn’t always happen either) and after delivering a very amusing speech he spent a further two hours chatting to guests, smoking a cigar, and impressing everyone with his good humour. (He described it later as a ‘marvellous afternoon’.)
I didn’t invite him to the lunch in 2024 or 2025 because I assumed that, if we weren’t offering him a paid gig, he probably wouldn’t be able to come. (I’m realistic about this!) This year, however, knowing he had endured a tough few months, including the death of his father in April, I thought he might like to join us in non-professional capacity.
As ever he responded very promptly, accepting the invitation, and we were looking forward to seeing him until, on the morning of the lunch (Wednesday July 1) I received an email, full of apologies, in which he explained that his mother was in hospital, had taken a turn for the worse, and he (understandably) needed to be by her side.
To this he added (and I hope I’m not betraying a confidence), ‘A great shame, I was very much looking forward to an event I really enjoyed last time. I hope you’ll keep me on your list for next year?’.
What I didn’t know until this morning is that Simon’s mother died later that same day, less than three months after the death of his father. Four weeks on he has written a lovely tribute that includes the text of the eulogy he gave at a joint memorial service for both of his parents last week. It’s beautifully written so do read it if you have a moment.
See: In Memoriam, Mum (The Simon Evans Substack)
For details of all Simon’s gigs, including the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe (6-20 August), click here. He also writes a regular column for the online magazine Spiked.
Simon Evans at the 2023 Forest Annual Lunch
