Wikipedia

Gyles Brandreth

Gyles Daubeney Brandreth(born 8 March 1948) is a British broadcaster, writer and former politician. He has worked as a television presenter, theatre producer, journalist, author and publisher.

Gyles Brandreth
Brandreth in 2022
Lord Commissioner of the Treasury
In office
11 December 1996 – 2 May 1997
Prime MinisterJohn Major
Preceded byMichael Bates
Succeeded byGraham Allen
Member of Parliament
forCity of Chester
In office
9 April 1992 – 8 April 1997
Preceded byPeter Morrison
Succeeded byChristine Russell
Chancellor of theUniversity of Chester
Incumbent
Assumed office
17 March 2017
Preceded byThe Duke of Westminster
Personal details
Born(1948-03-08)8 March 1948(age 76)
Wuppertal,Germany
Political partyConservative
Spouse
Michèle Brown
​
(m.1973)​
Children3, includingAphra
Relatives
Residence(s)Barnes,London,England
EducationNew College, Oxford(BA)
Brandreth's voice
from the BBC programmeDesert Island Discs,14 January 2011[1]

He was a presenter forTV-am'sGood Morning Britainin the 1980s, and has been regularly featured on Channel 4's game showCountdownand the BBC'sThe One Show.On radio, he makes frequent appearances on the BBC Radio 4 programmeJust a Minute.

In1992,Brandreth was elected to theHouse of Commonsas theConservativeMember of Parliament(MP) for theCity of Chesterconstituency. He served until he was defeated in1997,and resumed his career in the media. He has written both fiction and non-fiction books, and makes appearances as a public speaker.

Early life

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Brandreth was born on 8 March 1948 inWuppertal,inAllied-occupied Germany,where his father, Charles Brandreth, was serving as a legal officer with theAllied Control Commission.[2]He is the great-great-great-grandson ofBenjamin Brandreth.[3]

He moved to London with his parents at the age of three and was educated at theLycée FrançaisinSouth Kensington,andBedales SchoolinPetersfield,Hampshire, where he befriendedSimon Cadell.[4]

Brandreth studied Modern History and Modern Languages atNew College, Oxford.[5]While there, he directed theOxford University Dramatic Societyand was President of theOxford Union[5]inMichaelmas term,1969, and was a regular contributor to the university magazineIsis.He was described in a contemporaneous publication as "Oxford's Lord High Everything Else".[6][full citation needed]Christopher Hitchenssuggested that Brandreth "set out to make himself into aKen Tynan.Wore a cloak ".[7]

Television

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Brandreth with Judi Dench at the London Palladium in 2023

Brandreth has appeared in the Dictionary Corner on the game showCountdownmore than 300 times, includingCarol Vorderman's final edition in 2008, making more appearances than any other guest. He appeared onTV-am'sGood Morning Britain.He was known for his collection ofjumpers,of which some were sold in a charity auction in 1993.

Brandreth hosted the short-lived game showPublic Opinionin 2004.[8]In 2006, he appeared on the television seriesThat Mitchell and Webb Look,on the fictional game show "Numberwang",satirising his appearances inCountdown's Dictionary Corner. In 2007, he guest-starred in theDoctor Whoaudio playI.D..From July to August 2009, he hosted the game showKnowitallsonBBC Two.In April 2010, he appeared onBBC Radio 4'sVote Now Show.He made a cameo appearance as himself in Channel 4 sitcomThe IT Crowd,in the episode "The Final Countdown".

A frequent guest on BBC television panel shows, he has appeared on eight episodes ofQIand six episodes ofHave I Got News for You.He has appeared in episodes of Channel 5'sThe Gadget Show,and is a contributor to the BBC's early evening programmeThe One Show.

He appeared onRoom 101in 2005, whilePaul Mertonwas host, successfully banishing theRoyal Variety Performanceand theBritish honours systeminto Room 101, saying that he would never accept an honour himself.[9]In 2013, he clarified that position, stating that he had "no fundamental objection to the honours system", and that he selected the honours system for Room 101 because he could "tell funny stories about it".[10]

In October 2019, Brandreth appeared in series 3 ofRichard Osman's House of Games,winning two of the five episodes.

Also in 2019, Brandreth appeared on series 1 ofCelebrity GoggleboxalongsideSheila Hancock.[11]In 2020 and 2021, Brandreth returned for Series 2 and 3, alongsideMaureen Lipman.[12]In 2022, he appeared in the series withJoanna LumleyandCarol Vorderman.[13][14]In 2023, he returned with Lumley for Series 5, as well asSusie Dent.

In 2020, Brandreth and actor Sheila Hancock replacedTimothy WestandPrunella Scalesin a two-episode series ofGreat Canal Journeys,travelling down theRiver Thames.[15]In the first episode Timothy West gave the two novice canal boaters a crash course in barging.[16]They went down the Staffordshire Waterways in 2021 for another two-episode series.[17]

On 16 October 2021, Brandreth appeared alongsideAnne Hegertyas a celebrity contestant on theITVshowBeat the Chasers—described asGoggleboxin celebrity guise—in aid ofGreat Ormond Street Hospital.[18]On 24 October 2022, Brandreth appeared onBargain Hunt: BBC 100th Birthday Specialto commemorate the BBC's 100th Anniversary. His team mate wasTony Blackburn.[19][20]

Radio

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Brandreth has presented programmes on London'sLBCradio at various times since its launch in 1973.[21]He has frequently appeared onBBC Radio 4's comedy panel gameJust a Minute.[2]On several episodes of Radio 4's political programmeThe Westminster Hour,Brandreth has shared his thoughts on how to make the most of being a government minister.[22]From 2003 to 2005 Brandreth hosted the Radio 4 comedy panel gameWhispers.[23][24]

In 2006, Brandreth appeared in the Radio 4 comedy programmeLiving with the Enemywhich he co-wrote with comedianNick Revell,in which they appear as a former Conservative government minister and a former comedian.[25][26]In 2010 he broadcast a Radio 4 documentary about his great-great-great-grandfather,Benjamin Brandreth,the inventor of a medicine called "Brandreth's Pills".[27]For a period, he was the host of the Radio 4 comedypanel showWordaholics;the progam first aired on 20 February 2012.[28][29]He appeared on the Radio 4 programmeThe Museum of Curiosityin August 2017, to which he donated a button that was once owned by a famous actor.[30]

Podcasts

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In April 2019, Brandreth began co-hosting a podcast titledSomething Rhymes with Purplealongside lexicographerSusie Dent.[31]The podcast discussed aspects of the English language such as historic or unusual words and their origins, as well as the origins of popular phrases and sayings.[32]The podcast ended in July 2024.

In September 2023, Brandreth began hosting another podcast, called Rosebud, where he interviews famous people about "their first memories and first experiences".[33]Interviewees includeJudi Dench,Björn Ulvaeus,Miriam MargolyesandKeir Starmer.

Writing

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Brandreth at the Chiswick Book Festival

Since the 1970s, Brandreth has written books for adults and children aboutScrabble,words, puzzles and jokes, and was a regular contributor toGames & Puzzlesmagazine. He wrote an authorised biography of actorJohn Gielgud,andlipogrammicreworks of Shakespeare. In the 1980s, Brandreth wrote scripts forDear Ladies,a television programme featuringHinge and Bracket.[34]Brandreth created the stage showZipp!,which enjoyed success at theEdinburgh Festivaland had a short run in the West End.[35]

In 1999, he published diaries chronicling his days as a politician between 1990 and 1997, calledBreaking the Code.[36]

In September 2004, Brandreth's book on the marriage of QueenElizabeth IIandPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,Philip and Elizabeth: Portrait of a Marriagewas published.[2]In July 2005, he published a second book on the royal family, entitledCharles and Camilla: Portrait of a Love Affair,which concerns the three-decade love affair between the then-Prince CharlesandCamilla Parker Bowles.[2]

In 2021, following thedeath of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,Brandreth wrote, "The duke showed me great friendliness over 40 years but royalty offer you friendliness, not friendship, and you have to remember the difference".[37]

Brandreth has written a series of seven works of historical fiction calledThe Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries,in whichOscar Wildeworks with bothRobert SherardandArthur Conan Doyle.[38]

Brandreth has written and toured in a number of comedic one-man shows, includingThe One-to-One Showin 2010–2011,Looking for Happinessin 2013–2014 andWord Powerin 2015–2016.[39]

Brandreth has written a book entitledHave You Eaten Grandma?,about the English language and correct grammar.[40]

Politics

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Brandreth was aConservativeMP, representing theCity of Chester,from 1992 to 1997. In 1992, he brought in a Plain Language Bill, to simplify language used in contracts, under theTen Minute Rule.[41]However it was objected to at Second Reading and was dropped.[42]He proposed aprivate member's billwhich became law as theMarriage Act 1994,allowing civil marriages to be solemnized in certain "approved premises". In 1995, he was appointed to ajunior ministerialposition as aLord of the Treasury,with his role being essentially that of awhip.[22][43]

He broadcast reminiscences of his parliamentary career onBBCradio asBrandreth on OfficeandThe Brandreth Rulesin 2001, 2003 and 2005.[22]

In August 2014, Brandreth was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter toThe GuardianopposingScottish independencein the run-up to September'sreferendum on that issue.[44]In May 2016, Brandreth toldThe Spectatorthat he was likely to vote for the UK to stay in the European Union in the following month'sreferendum on the issue.[45]In 2019, Brandreth confirmed that he had voted to remain, but accepted the result of the referendum and believed that the government had to "getBrexitdone ".[46]

Gyles and George Knitwear

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Brandreth is known for the colourful, humorousjumpershe has designed and worn throughout his career. He has stated on the BBC that "it's all I'm really known for".[9]Collaborating with artist and knitwear designer George Hostler, Brandreth created hundreds of jumper designs that appear in books he and Hostler authored and produced under their knitwear label, Gyles & George.[47]

Brandreth has a room in his London home devoted to his jumpers, and claims to have one for almost every occasion. To name just a few examples: he has a knitted jumper emblazoned with a green frog that he has worn for appointments with princes (Philip and Charles); on other royal occasions, he has worn sweaters featuringcorgisandcrowns.He has appeared on television talking about rail strikes wearing a jumper that features a steam locomotive, and wore a sweater bearing the words "The End" on the dayBoris Johnsonresigned. And he has a Scrabble-themed jumper which he wears in his capacity as president of theAssociation of British Scrabble Players.[48][49]

To strike a more serious note, he worelounge suitsrather than novelty jumpers when serving in Parliament, though he has stated: "The first time I spoke in the House of Commons, I heardJohn Prescotton the bench opposite me muttering 'woolly jumpers ha ha ha.' He could see I was thrown and he carried on. Eventually I had to pause and point out to Mr Prescott that the joy of a woolly jumper is that you can take it off at will. Whereas the blight of a woolly mind is that you're lumbered with it for life ".[50][22]

In 2020, Brandreth partnered with American designerJack Carlsonto revive the label for the 21st century, with Gyles & George joining Carlson's collective of brands, Blazer Group. They have collaborated to re-release many of Brandreth's original designs, including a jumper with the words "I'm a Luxury" across the front, famously worn byDiana, Princess of Wales,and another featuring the words "What the **** is going on?" (the back reads: "Don't ask me" ). They have also released a popular collection of sweaters themed around theSigns of the Zodiac.[47][51]

Aside from Brandreth himself, the brand's models and prominent customers have includedJoanna Lumley,Floella Benjamin,Hugh Bonneville,Jane Asher,Elton John,Pete Davidson,Ziwe Fumudoh,Blanca Miro,Dwyane Wade,Keith Richards,andDiana, Princess of Wales.[50]

In 2023, thePetersfield Museumopened an exhibition dedicated to Gyles & George and Brandreth's personal collection of jumpers.[52][53]

Other activities

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Brandreth awarding a degree to a student at a 2017 graduation ceremony of theUniversity of ChesterinChester Cathedral

Brandreth is a former EuropeanMonopolychampion,[54]and president of theAssociation of British Scrabble Players,[55]having organised the firstBritish National Scrabble Championshipin 1971.

In 1987, Brandreth kissedCheryl Bakeronscreen for three minutes and 33 seconds, longer than the then-record longest onscreen kiss.[56]

He is anafter-dinner speakerand held the world record for the longest continuous after-dinner speech, twelve-and-a-half hours, done as a charity stunt. With his wife, he founded aTeddy bear museum.Located inStratford-upon-Avonfor 18 years, it was relocated to the Polka Theatre inWimbledon,London.[57]In 2016, the museum moved toNewby Hallin Yorkshire.[58]He is a patron of theNational Piers Societyand vice-president of charityFields in Trust(formerly theNational Playing Fields Association).

In 2014, Brandreth was awarded the honorary degree ofDoctor of Letters(DLitt) from theUniversity of Chester.[59]In December 2016, he was named the university'schancellor,[60]and officially took the role in March 2017.[citation needed]

Since 2015, he has been the president of theOscar WildeSociety, which was founded in 1990.[61]

Personal life

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Brandreth met his future wife, Michèle Brown, at Oxford. Five years later, with Brown working as a television reporter and Brandreth in theatre, the couple decided to have a "quiet wedding". They were married atMaryleboneRegister Office on 8 June 1973, with actorSimon Cadell,Brandreth's best friend from school, as a witness.[62]The couple have lived inBarnes,southwest London, since 1986.[63][64]

They have three children, includingAphra,who was elected as MP forChester South and Eddisburyin 2024.[65]

Brandreth is a vegetarian, and stopped drinking alcohol in 1997 to lose weight.[64]

Selected bibliography

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Non-fiction

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Fiction

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References

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  1. ^"Gyles Brandreth".Desert Island Discs.14 January 2011. BBC Radio 4.Retrieved18 January2014.
  2. ^abcd"Gyles Brandreth Biography".bookbrowse.Retrieved10 August2013.
  3. ^Brandreth, Gyles(2013).The 7 Secrets of Happiness: A Reluctant Optimist's Journey.New York, NY: Early Bird Books. p. v.ISBN9781480467033.
  4. ^"Gyles Brandreth On Writing Oscar Wilde And The Candlelight Murders".Shots.2007.Retrieved8 December2022.
  5. ^ab"Gyles Brandreth (New College, 1967)".alumni.ox.ac.uk.19 January 2017.Retrieved8 March2021.
  6. ^Cherwell Guide 1972
  7. ^Farndale, Nigel (2 June 2010)."An audience with Christopher Hitchens".The Daily Telegraph.London.Archivedfrom the original on 12 January 2022.
  8. ^"Public Opinion".UK Game Shows.Retrieved18 March2020.
  9. ^ab"Room 101 with Gyles Brandreth".BBC. 5 October 2005.Archivedfrom the original on 12 December 2021.
  10. ^ChatPolitics (30 August 2013),Gyles Brandreth on Tony Blair, the monarchy, and 'Just A Minute',archivedfrom the original on 12 December 2021,retrieved7 August2016
  11. ^"Curtis Brown".curtisbrown.co.uk.Retrieved13 July2020.
  12. ^"Lloyds Bank sponsors Channel 4's Celebrity Gogglebox in first ever TV sponsorship | Channel 4".channel4.Retrieved13 July2020.
  13. ^Manning, Charlotte (8 June 2022)."Dame Joanna Lumley beams in Celebrity Gogglebox first look snaps with Gyles Brandreth – and she's even wearing one of his iconic jumpers".Metro.Retrieved29 September2022.
  14. ^Jones, Gemma (27 June 2022)."Gyles Brandreth explains friendship with Carol Vorderman as they appear on Gogglebox".Liverpool Echo.Retrieved29 September2022.
  15. ^Brown, David."Great Canal Journeys – Series 11 – Episode 1".Radio Times.Retrieved1 December2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  16. ^Marshall, Michelle (8 November 2020)."Gyles Brandreth details 'frightening' boat problems he suffered on Great Canal Journeys".The Express.Retrieved1 December2020.
  17. ^Collis, Emily (21 March 2021)."New episode of Great Canal Journeys uncovers history of Stourport".Kidderminster Shuttle.Retrieved18 June2021.
  18. ^"Aphra Brandreth to stand for Tories in father Gyles's old seat".30 October 2023.Retrieved29 May2024.
  19. ^"BBC One - Bargain Hunt, Series 63, BBC 100th Birthday Special".BBC.Retrieved29 May2024.
  20. ^"Bargain Hunt: BBC 100th".24 October 2022.Retrieved29 May2024– via PressReader.
  21. ^Maher, Bron (9 October 2023)."'Groundbreaking' and 'dreadful': Brandreth, Myrie and Kearney among those paying tribute to LBC at 50 ".Press Gazette.Retrieved29 May2024.
  22. ^abcd"The Brandreth Rules".10 January 2006.Retrieved29 May2024.
  23. ^"BBC Radio 4 Extra - Whispers, Series 1, Episode 1".BBC.Retrieved29 May2024.
  24. ^Guide, British Comedy."Whispers - Radio 4 Panel Show".British Comedy Guide.Retrieved29 May2024.
  25. ^"BBC Radio 4 Extra - Living with the Enemy, Episode 6".BBC.Retrieved29 May2024.
  26. ^Guide, British Comedy."Living With The Enemy - Radio 4 Sitcom".British Comedy Guide.Retrieved29 May2024.
  27. ^Mahoney, Elisabeth (28 December 2009)."Brandreth's Pills".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved29 May2024.
  28. ^"BBC Radio 4 - Wordaholics, Series 1, Episode 1".BBC.Retrieved29 May2024.
  29. ^Guide, British Comedy."Wordaholics - Radio 4 Panel Show".British Comedy Guide.Retrieved29 May2024.
  30. ^"BBC Radio 4 - The Museum of Curiosity, Series 11, Episode 4".BBC.Retrieved29 May2024.
  31. ^"Something Rhymes With Purple podcast archive".acast.Archived fromthe originalon 16 August 2019.Retrieved16 August2019.
  32. ^"Word nerd? Try 'Something Rhymes with Purple'".RNZ.19 July 2019.Retrieved29 May2024.
  33. ^Brandreth, Gyles."Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth".Spotify.Retrieved24 August2024.
  34. ^Brandreth, Gyles (16 September 2021).Odd Boy Out: The 'hilarious, eye-popping, unforgettable' Sunday Times bestseller 2021.Penguin UK. p. 69.ISBN978-0-241-48373-2.Retrieved8 March2022.
  35. ^London Theatre (8 June 2016)."Zipp! The Musical with Gyles Brandreth at Duchess 23 Jan 03".London Theatre.Retrieved20 April2018.
  36. ^"Gyles Brandreth: Author, Broadcaster, Actor, Entertainer".gylesbrandreth.net.Archived fromthe originalon 27 January 2016.Retrieved19 March2016.
  37. ^Thomson, Alice."Gyles Brandreth: 'Exile, deaths and abdications... Prince Philip saw it all, so he had perspective'"– via thetimes.co.uk.
  38. ^"The Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries by Gyles Brandreth".oscarwildemurdermysteries.Retrieved19 March2016.
  39. ^"Gyles Brandreth books and biography – Waterstones".waterstones.Retrieved14 September2018.
  40. ^"Gyles Brandreth".penguin.co.uk.Archived fromthe originalon 14 September 2018.Retrieved14 September2018.
  41. ^https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1992-12-08/debates/a67ab1d1-4891-40de-b121-1acb7dc0ffa6/PlainLanguage
  42. ^https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1993-01-22/debates/7fd470c7-10bd-4908-8fff-cae5c5effe6f/PlainLanguageBill
  43. ^"Book Gyles Brandreth – Contact speaker agent – JLA".jla.co.uk.Archived fromthe originalon 2 June 2009.
  44. ^"Celebrities' open letter to Scotland – full text and list of signatories".The Guardian.7 August 2014.Retrieved26 August2014.
  45. ^"The Spectator poll: Are You In or Out? Bob Geldof, Tim Rice & Joey Essex have their say".The Spectator.27 May 2016.Retrieved8 March2021.
  46. ^Holmes, David (8 November 2019)."Ex-Chester Tory MP Gyles Brandreth hopes daughter can follow him into politics".Cheshire Live.Reach plc.Retrieved22 March2021.
  47. ^abBrandreth, Gyles (22 October 2021)."Gyles Brandreth: Why I'm bringing back my 'greatest knits'".The Telegraph.ISSN0307-1235.Retrieved14 April2023.
  48. ^"The return of the Eighties slogan jumper".Financial Times.24 November 2021.Retrieved14 April2023.
  49. ^"Gyles Brandreth on his famous & fabulously fun knitwear".Country and Town House.25 September 2016.Retrieved14 April2023.
  50. ^abLeaper, Caroline (24 December 2022)."Gyles Brandreth: Why I have a separate room devoted to my jolly jumpers".The Telegraph.ISSN0307-1235.Retrieved14 April2023.
  51. ^"Gyles & George Launch a Collection of Zodiac Sweaters".Town & Country.25 March 2022.Retrieved14 April2023.
  52. ^Gyles Brandreth jumpers over the decades go on display and viewers ones too (UK) (fun story),retrieved14 April2023
  53. ^"Gyles Brandreth: Fun and Fabulous Jumpers | Petersfield Museum".petersfieldmuseum.co.uk.Retrieved14 April2023.
  54. ^Mount, Harry(7 April 2003)."Portrait of a driver: Gyles Brandreth".The Daily Telegraph.London.Archivedfrom the original on 12 January 2022.Retrieved21 January2009.
  55. ^"Gyles Brandreth".ABSP.Retrieved9 June2012.
  56. ^"Untitled".Evening Post.13 February 1987. p. 18 – via Newspapers.
  57. ^"Polka Theatre – World-class theatre for children".polkatheatre.Archived fromthe originalon 15 October 2011.Retrieved19 March2016.
  58. ^"Gyles Brandreth's 1,000 teddies move to Newby Hall".BBC News. 24 May 2016.Retrieved28 August2019.
  59. ^"Honorary Graduates 2014".University of Chester website.21 November 2017.Retrieved12 March2019.
  60. ^"University's new Chancellor to be Gyles Brandreth".University of Chester.8 December 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 16 December 2016.Retrieved12 June2017.
  61. ^"Welcome to the website for".The Oscar Wilde Society.Retrieved12 March2017.
  62. ^"My most memorable meal: Gyles Brandreth".Sainsbury`s Magazine.Retrieved13 August2022.
  63. ^Wintle, Angela."Gyles Brandreth: 'I paid to keep a phone number that gave the impression I was still north of the river'".The Times.ISSN0140-0460.Retrieved13 August2022.
  64. ^abWebb, Claire (16 July 2022)."Gyles Brandreth: 'My wife and I don't want to go to bed feeling low – so we watch Emily in Paris'".The Telegraph.ISSN0307-1235.Retrieved13 August2022.
  65. ^"Aphra Brandreth to stand for Tories in father Gyles's old seat".BBC News.30 October 2023.Retrieved31 October2023.
  66. ^"Here Comes Golly".Biblio.co.uk.Retrieved12 March2019.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for theCity of Chester
1992–1997 		Succeeded by
Academic offices
Preceded by Chancellor of the University of Chester
2017–present 		Incumbent
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