Rugby star Thom Evans walks tall at Dressed to Kilt

Published on Tuesday 6 April 2010 22:57

IT WAS feared he would never walk again after sustaining a neck injury that gave the world of rugby cause to hold its breath.

• On his feet again: Thom Evans takes to the catwalk thanks to emergency ops to his spine. Picture: Getty

But less than two months after the sporting accident which left him millimetres from death or paralysis, Scotland star Thom Evans was cantering down a New York catwalk at Dressed to Kilt, the celebrity-studded centrepiece of Scotland Week.

The 25-year-old, whose family gathered at his bedside in the wake of his sickening clash during Scotland's Six Nations match against Wales, proved he is well on the road to recovery by attending the annual fashion fundraiser.

Evans donned a Scotland top and a white fabric kilt to join a host of celebrities at the show celebrating Scottish culture, and expressed delight at meeting Sir Sean Connery.

"The injury is fine," he told The Scotsman ahead of the show. "I've got a slightly stiff neck but I'll be jocking down the catwalk."

In Pictures:

In pictures: Injured rugby star Thom Evans joins Dressed To Kilt show

The winger's carefree stroll into the world of fashion, still clutching a ball, seemed an impossibility only a few weeks ago. In the aftermath of his collision with Wales's Lee Byrne on 13 February, doctors said he had a 50/50 chance of walking again.

Following the Millennium Stadium accident, it emerged Evans had suffered slippage to a vertebrae, an injury he said caused a pain as if a "bullet had ripped through me".

He underwent two emergency operations on his spine, and required a metal cage to be inserted in his chest, with six screws in his back. The surgeon who operated on him said just "one millimetre" prevented him being paralysed.

Now though, Evans, a cousin of Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans, is back jogging and doing light press-ups.

The Glasgow Warriors player's invitation to take part in Dressed to Kilt arrived when he was still in hospital recovering, courtesy of a voicemail from Sir Sean, the fundraiser's organiser.

"Sir Sean said he thought it was fantastic how both countries came together to help someone, like Wales and Scotland did when my accident happened, and that's what Dressed To Kilt was all about too – coming together to help those in need," Evans said. "He's a big rugby fan and to me he's an absolute legend."

Evans has said that the prospect of his return to rugby remains unclear, but if he cannot play again, he would considering taking up professional sprinting.

Sir Sean and US property tycoon Donald Trump watched from the sidelines as Evans and the rest of the models paraded in kilts of every colour and style.

Other celebrities taking part included X-Men star Alan Cumming, musician Joan Jett, Sex and the City's Kyle MacLachlan, and Hollywood comic Mike Myers.

The Austin Powers star and voice of Shrek teamed his kilt with a Glengarry and a T-shirt bearing the Lion Rampant.

Cumming wore a matching kilt, jacket and waistcoat at the event, which raised funds for injured soldiers.

Fiona Hyslop, minister for culture and external affairs, said the event continued to grow in stature. She said: "Dressed to Kilt continues to go from strength to strength, providing a fantastic opportunity to promote the creative talent of Scottish designers and the innovative use of Scotland's high-quality textiles on an international platform.

"It offers an excellent networking forum for upcoming designers to engage in trade talks with potential partners and break into the lucrative American market."