Nikhila Bedi(/ˈbeɪdi/;néeMoolgaoker;9 September 1966) is a British television and radio presenter, born to anIndianfather ofMaharashtrianorigin and an English mother. She was married to food stylist Sunil Vijayakar before her second marriage toKabir Bedifrom 1992 to 2005; she retained her married name after their divorce.[2][3]She describes herself as Indo-Anglian.[4]
Nikki Bedi | |
|---|---|
 Bedi at theBritish Libraryin 2023 | |
| Born | Nikhila Moolgaoker[1] 9 September 1966 Aylesbury,Buckinghamshire,England |
| Occupation | Radio presenter |
| Spouse | |
She writes and presentsThe Arts HourandThe Arts Hour on Tourfor theBBC World Service,and co-hostsBBC Radio 4'sSaturday Live.[4]
Background
editHer paternal grandparents were the industrialistSumant Moolgaokar,head ofTata MotorsandTata Steel,and social workerLeela Sumant Moolgaokar,a pioneer ofblood transfusionin India.[5]
Career
editBoth a stage and television actress, Bedi began her career inMumbai.Spotted by the UK'sChannel 4,she hostedBombay Chat,an on-location celebrity talk show.Star TVgave her a primetime slot forNikki Tonightwhich quickly proved to be Asia's most widely viewed and controversial talk show, although it was subsequently cancelled by Star TV after a guest, gay rights activistAshok Row Kavi,made a derogatory remark aboutMahatma Gandhi.
Bedi then moved to live and work for a time in Los Angeles, before returning to the UK in 2000 to be the face ofUniversal'sfilm channel The Studio for over two years. She also presented two live film shows forNOW,Worldwide ScreenandBollywood Today.
In 2003, Bedi began working in radio, appearing onLBCand BBC Radio 4. In 2004, she became the presenter of a new weekend morning programme calledHot Breakfaston theBBC Asian Networkbefore taking over as presenter of the weekday afternoon show,Drivein 2005. In May 2006, as part of wide-ranging schedule changes, she was given her own show calledNikki Bedion theBBC Asian Network.The daily show featured music, films, books, art and all things cultural and included interviews with prominent figures from those worlds.
She has covered for a number of key presenters onBBC Radio 2,BBC London 94.9and BBC Radio 4 and in October 2008 fulfilled a long-held ambition by appearing in an episode of the BBC Radio 4 drama,The Archers.Bedi continued with her television work alongside radio, appearing as a presenter onBBC2'sDesi DNAfor three years and on the popularBBC OneseriesTo Buy or Not to Buyduring 2010 and 2011.
Bedi was aCosta Book Awardsjudge in the New Novel category announced in Jan 2010 and has also been on the judging panel for theEuropean Independent Film FestivalAwards and theOne World Media Awards.In February 2010, she presented a 3-part documentary series onBBC Radio 2calledBollywood Britain.The series explores the history of Hindi film music and its lasting ties with generations of British Asians.
Bedi continues to be a voiceover artist, having voiced or narrated a wide variety of shows from theBBC Fourdocumentary seriesIndian Schoolto theMilliesonITV.[6]
BBC Radio London, BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4 (2010–present)
editJoiningBBC Radio Londonin 2010, Bedi presented an evening weekend show until taking over as presenter of the Monday to Thursday overnight show in 2011. She has also been a regular stand-in presenter for keyBBC Radio Londonshows and presenters including, theLesley JosephShow,theVanessa FeltzShow,Eddie Nestor's Rum Shop,The Late Show with JoAnne GoodandGaby RoslinonThe Breakfast Show.
Early in 2013, Bedi moved to theBBC Radio Londonevening weekend show (Friday to Sunday), making way for her new weekday showThe Arts Houron the BBC World Service. Curated, written and presented by Bedi,The Arts Houris a weekly collection of the most interesting arts related stories from across theBBCand elsewhere. In February 2016, Bedi moved to the weekday early breakfast on the renamedBBC Radio London.She left early breakfast in December 2016, and from January 2017 until April 2019, Bedi presented a Sunday mid morning show onBBC Radio London.
In August 2019, Bedi made her debut onSmooth Radioon a Sunday afternoon show.
Bedi has been associated withBBC Radio 4for several years having become a regular interviewer onLoose Ends,presenting the show when usual hostClive Andersonwas absent and she has also occasionally presentedWoman's Hour.Bedi became co-host ofSaturday Livein late 2020.[4]
References
edit- ^A Full Life, Sabira Merchant, Mitali Parekh, Jaico Publishing House, 2022
- ^A Full Life, Sabira Merchant, Mitali Parekh, Jaico Publishing House, 2022
- ^"Remember Nikki Gandhi Bedi?".The Times of India.2 March 2008.ISSN0971-8257.Retrieved21 July2023.
- ^abcBedi, Nikki (8 January 2018)."Episode 1".The Museum of Curiosity.Series 12. Episode 1.Event occurs at 3 mins 18 secs.BBC Radio 4.Retrieved8 January2018.
I describe myself as Indo-Anglian.
- ^https://twitter.com/nikkibedi/status/1380744471558623232?lang=en[bare URL]
- ^"Nikki Bedi Official Website Credits Page".Nikki Bedi. 19 May 2013.Retrieved6 June2017.
External links
edit- Official website
- Saturday Live(BBC Radio 4)
- The Arts Hour(BBC World Service)