‘The advertisers didn’t want a black man doing fitness’: Mr Motivator on racism, etiquette and ‘horrible’ TV stars

Mr Motivator AKA Derrick Evans: ‘It’s very important that all of us reach down and pick someone up.’ Photograph: Joel Goodman/The Guardian

A woman answers the door in a psychedelic Lycra outfit. Mrs Motivator says that Mr Motivator is finishing his supper and he’ll just be a few minutes. She shows me into the lounge of their Manchester home and offers me a cup of tea. The room exudes positivity. There are lovely family photos, bright paintings and a trinket on the mantelpiece saying: “You’re pretty much my favourite person of all time in the history of forever.” Mr and Mrs Motivator are very much in love, and have been for the past 30 years.

Mr Motivator is, of course, the TV fitness instructor who rescued ITV’s breakfast television show GMTV when it was in the doldrums in the 1990s. He was famous for his psychedelic leotards, infectious smile, simple routines and even simpler catchphrase: “Here we go.” Mr Motivator, AKA Derrick Evans, lived up to his name. He got us moving and made us feel better about ourselves.