Show summary Hide summary
- Early career: from regional broadcasts to TF1 stardom
- Iconic shows and audience hits that defined the 1980s
- Work beyond television: radio, theater and stage roles
- Funeral in Nice: ceremony, requests and charitable wishes
- Who attended: colleagues, friends and moving tributes
- Family memories and final moments in Grasse
- Personal ties and lasting connections in the industry
A crowd of colleagues, friends and local admirers gathered in Nice on January 13, 2026, to say goodbye to Évelyne Leclercq, the familiar television face who passed away on December 30, 2025. The presenter, known for her warm smile and quick wit, died in Grasse at the age of 74 after a long illness, her daughter Céline Olive said.
Early career: from regional broadcasts to TF1 stardom
Évelyne Leclercq began in front of a camera as a teenager.
Hilary Swank’s husband Philip Schneider: inside the businessman behind the star
Polska pregnant and betrayed by a close friend: she is very, very shocked
- At 17 she worked as a speakerine for the regional ORTF station in Nice.
- She had once hoped to become a flight attendant before television found her.
- TF1 recruited her in 1975, launching a national career.
Her move to the first channel opened doors to high-profile programs and regular prime-time appearances.
Iconic shows and audience hits that defined the 1980s
Leclercq became synonymous with popular entertainment on French TV.
- She co-hosted large-scale shows such as Intervilles and took part in the Eurovision broadcast team.
- Her name was often seen alongside presenters like Yves Lecoq and Patrick Sébastien.
Tournez Manège anchored her fame. The dating show, adapted from The Dating Game, drew millions of viewers each day. Its format of contestants separated by a screen, answering questions from suitors, became a cultural reference point.
The program stayed on air for years and inspired parodies and sketches that kept Leclercq’s presence alive in popular culture long after broadcasts ended.
Work beyond television: radio, theater and stage roles
Leclercq did not limit herself to TV screens.
- She hosted radio programs and maintained a steady voice on air.
- She explored acting, appearing in stage comedies that showcased her timing and charm.
Her theatrical credits included contemporary comedies and ensemble pieces directed by notable figures in French entertainment.
Funeral in Nice: ceremony, requests and charitable wishes
The public farewell took place at Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate in Nice, with the service scheduled for 2 p.m. on January 13.
Family instructions on the invitation were specific. Guests were asked not to send floral tributes. Instead, the family requested donations be made to the Institut du Cancer de Mougins. The card also suggested a white or light-colored dress code for attendees.
Who attended: colleagues, friends and moving tributes
Several well-known figures from French media and entertainment came to pay respects.
- Singer Charlotte Julian was among those present.
- Longtime TV colleague Fabienne Égal attended and expressed deep emotion.
- Jean-Pierre Foucault arrived with his wife, Evelyn Jarre, who has been a friend of Leclercq’s since childhood.
Jean-Pierre Foucault was noted as present, though reports said he mainly accompanied his wife. He also recalled being a friendly rival during the era when both hosted competing entertainment programs.
Family memories and final moments in Grasse
Close family members described the last weeks as very difficult but marked by care and support.
Évelyne’s daughter said her mother faced illness with unusual courage and was surrounded by loved ones at the end. Her former husband, Jacques Olive, spoke about her time in care at a clinic in Grasse and reflected on the irony of her strong ties to the Côte d’Azur.
Personal ties and lasting connections in the industry
The funeral highlighted the network of friendships Leclercq built over decades on screen and off.
- Her professional partnerships with co-presenters left a visible mark on French daytime television.
- Her marriage and family life remained private, but close friends and relatives attended the service in force.
Jean-Pierre Foucault, who has been married to Evelyn Jarre since the 1980s, was photographed in a navy jacket at the service, a quiet presence beside his wife of more than four decades.
