Frank Skinner breaks down in tears live on air as he reveals former co-host is fighting for his life

Frank Skinner broke down in tears on his live radio show today as he revealed his former co-host is fighting for his life in a coma after a massive three-car road accident. 

The broadcaster, 66, welled up in the closing moments of his Absolute Radio show as he told listeners that his close friend Gareth Richards is fighting to stay alive. 

The crash Mr Richards was injured in is believed to have been a serious accident on the M25 near Heathrow Airport on March 27. 

A man in the accident – thought to be Mr Richards – was cut free from his vehicle by firefighters before being treated by the London Ambulance Service for head and chest injuries. The Met Police said he is now in a ‘life threatening’ condition, according to Surrey Live. 

Skinner said: ‘One thing you have to learn to do in this line of work is to put on a false front and the show must go on, and that’s what happened this morning.’

Frank Skinner (pictured) broke down in tears in the closing moments of his Absolute Radio show as he told listeners that his close friend and former co-host Gareth Richards is fighting for his life 

Gareth Richards (pictured) is ‘a very close friend’ of Skinner and supported him on tour, according to the presenter

The crash Mr Richards was injured in is believed to have been a serious accident between an HGV van and two cars on the M25 near Heathrow Airport on March 27 

Presenting with his co-host Emily Dean, he added: ‘We have been doing this show for 14 years and when we first did the pilot for it, me and Emily, it was rubbish, just the two of us.

‘We got a guest on the next one who was Gareth Richards, who was brilliant on here and we asked him to do the show.

‘So for the first few years it was me, Em and Gareth. It was great, exciting times. 

‘He became a very close friend and has supported me on tour. Gareth and Emily are very very close.’

Skinner then revealed that Richards is struggling following a shocking accident earlier this week.

He explained: ‘Gareth was in a very big road accident this week, and it is not looking great for Gareth. 

A man in the accident – thought to be Mr Richards – was cut free from his vehicle by firefighters before being treated by the London Ambulance Service for head and chest injuries

Skinner ended the show by asking listeners with faith to offer up their prayers for his friend Mr Richards

‘He is in hospital and he is fighting and it’s not looking great. I didn’t want to do this show – we didn’t want to do this show – without mentioning him.’

The crash, believed to have happened at around 11:55pm on Monday, is thought to have occured between a HGV van and two cars.  

Skinner ended the show by asking listeners with faith to offer up their prayers for Mr Richards. 

‘I don’t know if any of you do pray but if you do, give one for Gareth this week,’ he said. 

Mr Richard’s agents today released a statement saying: ‘We are very sad to announce that one of our management clients at Mirth Control, comedian Gareth Richards, has been very seriously injured in a car crash this week, he remains in a coma currently in intensive care.’