The heartbreaking truth about Alice Evans’ bitter family rift with her stepmother who ‘didn’t invite her’ to eminent professor father’s funeral

Alice Evans has been left reeling after her father Professor David Evans, who was a distinguished academic and mathematician, passed away in March. Pictured: An old photograph of the pair together which she shared on social media after his death
Alice Evans has been left reeling after her father Professor David Evans, who was a distinguished academic and mathematician, passed away in March. Pictured: An old photograph of the pair together which she shared on social media after his death

Alice Evans has been enduring some of the most heart-wrenching moments of her life, from the tragic loss of her brother Tony to the recent death of her father, Professor David Evans. The emotional turmoil only deepened when Alice revealed a shocking family rift that left her unable to attend her father’s funeral, despite the profound impact he had on her life.

This week the actress, whose brother Tony died aged 55 last August, claimed, in a post (pictured) on the first anniversary of his death, she had received a further blow after she was unable to say a final farewell to her father, insisting she had not been invited to his funeral
This week the actress, whose brother Tony died aged 55 last August, claimed, in a post (pictured) on the first anniversary of his death, she had received a further blow after she was unable to say a final farewell to her father, insisting she had not been invited to his funeral
In her own words Alice, 57, has claimed she and her late brother had been 'banished' from their father's life by his second wife - art historian Dr Catherine Hunt (pictured)
In her own words Alice, 57, has claimed she and her late brother had been ‘banished’ from their father’s life by his second wife – art historian Dr Catherine Hunt (pictured)

The esteemed academic passed away at the age of 85, and his funeral was held at the picturesque All Saints Church in Publow, Somerset, on April 21. Despite being a prominent figure in his field, Alice was notably absent from the ceremony. She later took to Instagram to share her grief, revealing that she had not been invited by her father’s second wife, Dr. Catherine Hunt, to attend the funeral.

Alice was certainly conspicuous by her absence as family and leading academics gathered to say their goodbyes to Professor Evans (pictured)
Alice was certainly conspicuous by her absence as family and leading academics gathered to say their goodbyes to Professor Evans (pictured)

Alice, who had previously been estranged from her father due to Dr. Hunt’s presence in his life, described how her father’s second marriage caused a painful divide in their family. Alice and her late brother Tony had felt ‘banished’ from their father’s life following the wedding, and their exclusion from his final farewell only added to her heartbreak. His funeral service was held last Friday at the 14th century All Saints Church (pictured, file photo) in the picturesque Somerset village of Publow

Professor Evans (pictured), who died aged 85 on March 13, has been described by colleagues as 'a quietly proud Welshman'
Professor Evans (pictured), who died aged 85 on March 13, has been described by colleagues as ‘a quietly proud Welshman’
It was at university that the academic (pictured) met his first wife Janet Dowell, who went on to have a career as a schoolteacher
It was at university that the academic (pictured) met his first wife Janet Dowell, who went on to have a career as a schoolteacher

In a powerful post, Alice wrote, “Bro, our Dad was cremated on Friday. None of his children were invited. Speeches were made by extended family and friends. I’m SO GLAD you didn’t have to know that. So so glad.” She expressed sorrow at the thought that her beloved brother, who passed away at just 55, never had to experience this painful exclusion.

The rift with Dr. Hunt seemed to have worsened after Professor Evans’ passing, as Alice explained how difficult it had been to be kept from attending the funeral. She explained, “I will love you forever and ever and ever. Sis,” speaking of her lost sibling Tony, who Alice described as a compassionate and empathetic person. Alice was their first child who was born in August 1968 while her father (pictured) was carrying out research at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey

Despite the betrayal Alice felt, she shared memories of her father and reflected on the vital role he played in shaping her life. She posted an emotional tribute, recounting the wisdom and love he imparted, despite the distance created by their estrangement.

Alice (pictured) revealed last month how she had been left 'in a dark hole' following the death of her father and brother and revealed the key roles they had played in shaping her life
Alice (pictured) revealed last month how she had been left ‘in a dark hole’ following the death of her father and brother and revealed the key roles they had played in shaping her life

Professor Evans was a distinguished mathematician whose career spanned continents. He taught at several prestigious institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and had a lasting legacy in his field. He was the father of three children, Alice, Tony, and their brother Philip. Alice described her father’s academic achievements as deeply inspiring but also mentioned the personal toll their family dynamic had taken.

In her heartfelt tribute, Alice recounted memories of her father teaching her the importance of laughter and humor, and how he had passed on a legacy of wisdom that would live on in her and her children. She wrote, “Your crazy maths problems, brain teasers, your brilliant anecdotes… You taught me to laugh. You taught me that there is humour in almost anything.”

Alice also reflected on her strained relationship with Dr. Hunt, describing her father’s second wife as the cause of the ongoing tension in their family. This longstanding division, it seems, was never reconciled before his death. The funeral service marked the culmination of their family struggles, leaving Alice to mourn her father’s passing in isolation.

While Alice continues to grapple with her grief, she has expressed deep concern for her younger brother, Philip, who, like her, was unable to attend the funeral due to his own personal struggles. In a heartbreaking message, Alice said, “Phil was not banished by my dad’s wife like Tone and I were, but he is going through his own awful problems at the moment.”

Despite the public heartbreak, Alice remains steadfast in her love for her father and brother, holding on to the belief that they are reunited in a better place. “I hope the three of you are together,” Alice wrote, adding, “I hope you know how much wisdom you passed on to me.”

This tragic chapter in Alice Evans’ life underscores not only her personal suffering but the complex family dynamics that have now surfaced in the wake of her father’s death. The painful family rift, coupled with her deep grief, paints a somber picture of the challenges Alice has faced in both her private and public life.