Jump to content

Mel Giedroyc

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mel Giedroyc
Giedroyc at theBBC Radio 2 Folk Awardsin 2009
Born
Melanie Clare Sophie Giedroyc

(1968-06-05)5 June 1968(age 56)
Epsom,England
EducationOxford High School,Oxford
Alma materTrinity College, Cambridge
Television
SpouseBen Morris
Children2
Parent
Relatives

Melanie Clare Sophie Giedroyc(/ˈɡɛdrɔɪtʃ/GHED-roytch,Polish pronunciation:[ˈɡʲɛdrɔjt͡ɕ];born 5 June 1968) is an Englishactress,comedian and television presenter.[1]

WithSue Perkins,she has co-hosted series includingLight LunchforChannel 4,The Great British Bake Offfor theBBCand chat showMel and SueforITV.In early 2017 Giedroyc co-presented the BBC showLet It Shine.Since 2015 she has held a number of commentating roles for theEurovision Song Contest.

Early life[edit]

Giedroyc was born on 5 June 1968 inEpsom,Surrey,and grew up inLeatherhead.[2]Her father,Michal,[3][4]an aircraft designer, civil engineer and family historian, ofPolish-Lithuaniandescent from the aristocraticGiedroyć family,had moved to Britain in 1947; he died in December 2017.[5]

Her mother, Rosemary "Rosy" Cumpston (1937-2024),[6]is of English origin.[4][7]Her older sister is film and television directorCoky Giedroyc.After moving toOxfordas a teenager Giedroyc attended the independentOxford High School[8]and later attendedTrinity College, Cambridge,graduating with alower seconddegree inFrenchandItalian.[9]

Career[edit]

Television[edit]

Giedroyc metSue Perkinswhile they were students at theUniversity of Cambridgeand members of theFootlightscomedy club.Mel and Suewere short-listed for theDaily ExpressBest Newcomers Award at theEdinburgh Festivalin 1993. Their first presenting roles saw them host a lunchtime show onChannel 4calledLight Lunch(and the early evening version,Late Lunch).

Giedroyc appeared with Perkins in one episode ofGimme Gimme Gimme,playing a receptionist at a hotel. She was also a presenter on Channel 4'sRI:SE.She narratedCelebrity Driving Schoolin 2003. Some other ventures include being a contestant on the 2005 series ofThe Games,co-starring in the 2005BBC OnesitcomBlessedand co-presentingRichard Hammond's 5 O'Clock ShowonITV.Giedroyc was in one episode ofThe Vicar of Dibley.

Giedroyc was the sixth student to be voted out ofComic Relief Does Fame Academyand was a celebrity judge on the 2007 edition ofMaking Your Mind Upalong withJohn Barrowman.She starred as one of the presenters in the showEurobeat: Almost Eurovision!at theEdinburgh Fringeand subsequently in the West End at theNovello Theatre.Giedroyc played the Fairy Liquid in a production ofJack and the Beanstalkat London's Barbican theatre in December 2007. She appeared in a children's sketch show for the BBCSorry, I've Got No Head.In 2010, Giedroyc was a celebrity guest team captain onWhat Do Kids Know?withRufus Hound,Joe SwashandSara CoxonWatchand also appeared in the first episode of series two ofMiranda Hart's self-titled sitcomMirandaas a life coach.

Giedroyc was a panellist on theChannel 5programmeThe Wright Stuffin 2007, 2008 and in February 2010. She plays Mrs V, the owner of the Y café, in CBBC programmeSadie Jand is also the voice of Mist inMist: Sheepdog Tales,[10]shown on Channel 5's morning showMilkshake!.

Giedroyc was reunited withSue Perkinsin 2010 to host the cookery competitionThe Great British Bake Off,onBBC Twofrom 16 August 2010. Later, in an apparently syndicated newspaper interview, Giedroyc admitted that she did the show just for the money, informing readers that she had nearly gone bankrupt.[11]The show moved toBBC Onefor itsfifth seriesand has won numerous awards.[12]

In September 2016, Love Productions announced that a three-year deal had been agreed to broadcastThe Great British Bake OffonChannel 4,instead of the BBC, from 2017.[13]Giedroyc and Perkins announced that they would not be continuing with the show on its new network.[14]Mary Berrylater announced she was also leaving the Bake Off[15]on the same day that fellow-judgePaul Hollywoodseparately announced he would be staying with the show.[16]

In 2012 and 2013, Giedroyc hosted two special charity series forSport ReliefandComic Relieffeaturing celebrities who took part for charity. In 2014, she guest hosted an episode ofThe Great Sport Relief Bake Offand in 2015, one episode ofThe Great Comic Relief Bake Off.In 2016, she presented the first episode ofThe Great Sport Relief Bake Off.

In March 2014, Giedroyc presentedCollectaholics,a factual mini-series forBBC Two.

From May 2014, Giedroyc presented one series of theChannel 4programmeDraw It!,based upon and developed by the makers of themobile appDraw Something.[17]

In May 2014, Giedroyc andclinical psychologistDr Jennifer Wild presented a one-off show forBBC OnecalledVertigo Road Tripabout people who have a fear of heights. Reviewing the programme, inThe Psychologist,Petrina Cox described it as "an engaging and valuable education for the general public about the nature of anxiety disorders such as specific phobias. It is sure to reduce stigma, inspire hope and encourage people to seek evidence-based treatments..."[18]

On 12 November 2014, Giedroyc guest hosted an episode ofThe One ShowwithAlex Jones.[19]

In 2015, Giedroyc narrated eight-partBBC OneseriesNow You See It.A second series aired in 2016.[20]

In December 2015 Giedroyc performed as Frau Schmidt in "The Sound of Music Live (2015)"which was broadcast onITV.In January 2015, Giedroyc and Perkins were given their own daytime chat show onITV.The show, calledMel and Sueaired for 30 episodes, every weekday at 4pm.[21][22]In August 2015, it was announced that the show had not been re-commissioned.[23]

Giedroyc andMatt Bakerbegan co-hosting four-partBBC OneseriesThe Giftin February 2015. It returned for a second series in 2017.[24]Giedroyc hosted theSky1primetime game showRelatively Clever,which began on 3 April 2015.[25]

In May 2015, Giedroyc joinedScott Millsin commentating the semi-finals of theEurovision Song Contest 2015for theUnited Kingdom.It was broadcast onBBC Three.[26]Since 2016, Giedroyc has presented theEurovision You Decideprogramme.[27]

In 2017, Giedroyc co-presented the Saturday night BBC showLet It Shine– including three live shows – alongsideGraham Norton.The judges wereGary Barlow,Martin KempandDannii Minogue.[citation needed]

She narratedThe Secret ChefforITVand co-presentedLet's Sing and Dance for Comic ReliefalongsideSue PerkinsonBBC One.

Also in 2017, Giedroyc competed in the fourth series ofTaskmasteragainstLolly Adefope,Hugh Dennis,Noel FieldingandJoe Lycett.Since June 2017, Giedroyc has presented Saturday night entertainment seriesPitch BattleforBBC One.She also presents the dailyBBC Twogame showLetterbox,having hosted 45 episodes (15 for series One, 30 for series Two) since 2017. On 23 July 2017, it was confirmed that Giedroyc and Perkins would host a new version ofThe Generation Gamefor BBC One.[28]

In November 2017, she co-presentedChildren in Needfor the first time.[29]In December 2017 she hosted an episode ofHave I Got News for You.

In May 2018, Giedroyc was the spokesperson for the United Kingdom as part of theEurovision Song Contest 2018.

Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivablebegan airing onDavein February 2021. It invites three celebrity guests along to Mel's confessional each week to find out who's committed sins that are so bad that they should be declared ‘unforgivable’.[30][31]

On 13 May 2023 Giedroyc was UK co-commentator at the Eurovision Song Contest final, alongsideGraham Norton.In a reference to the 2014 Polish Eurovision entry "My Słowianie"and to Giedroyc's own Polish heritage, she appeared as a Polish milkmaid, suggestively churning butter behind hostHannah Waddingham,as Waddingham introducedArmenia's performanceafter the intermission.[32][33]

Radio[edit]

Giedroyc appeared in the 1994 Radio 4 comedy seriesThe Skiverswith Nick Golson and Tim de Jongh. In July 2000, Giedroyc appeared as a contestant onThe 99p Challenge,a radio show hosted by Sue Perkins. In August 2010, Giedroyc appeared on theDave Gormanshow onAbsolute Radioas one of his co-hosts, standing in forDanielle Ward,and has also appeared on series 4 to 7 ofCount Arthur Strong's Radio Show!onBBC Radio 4.[34]From 2 April 2011, with the rebranding of Radio 7 as Radio 4 extra, Giedroyc has presentedThe 4 O'Clock Show,a chat show including items related to children's entertainment.

From 16 April 2016, she started presenting a Saturday lunchtime show onMagic Radiofrom 1pm until 3pm.

On 6 September 2014, Giedroyc co-hosted withLee Mackon hisBBC Radio 2Saturday morning show.[35]

Other work[edit]

In November 2014 Giedroyc was a part ofGareth Malone'sAll Star Choir,[36]singing the opening solo in the choir's cover version of "Wake Me Up"to raise money for theBBC'sChildren in Need.[37]On 3 and 10 November 2014, a two-part documentary about the choir was broadcast byBBC One.On 16 November, the single entered theUK Singles Chartat Number One.

Giedroyc presented theStrictly Come Dancing Live Tourfrom 22 January until 14 February 2016.

Giedroyc appeared inThe Rocky Horror Show Livewhich was simulcast live to cinemas across the United Kingdom and Europe from London's Playhouse Theatre on 17 September 2015 in the role of Third Narrator.

Giedroyc appeared in the 2018 West End Revival of theStephen SondheimmusicalCompany,playing the role of Sarah.

Giedroyc playedBeatricein the 2018Rose Theatreproduction ofShakespeare'sMuch Ado About Nothing.[38]

On 23 November 2021, it was announced that Giedroyc would dance withNeil Jonesin the2021 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.

Giedroyc played the parts of Mrs Edwards (wife of the custodian of theCrown Jewels) and of a 'Lady of the Bedchamber' to KingCharles II,inThe Crown Jewels,a humorous play written by screenwriterSimon Nyeand performed at theGarrick TheatreinLondonin 2023, aboutColonel Blood's theft of the jewels in 1671. The part of Blood was played byAidan McArdle,Al Murrayplayed the king, and the cast also includedNeil Morrissey.

In February 2024, Giedroyc will play Irene, Brian's mum in the world premiere of the musicalStarter for Ten,based on the novel and film at theBristol Old Vic.

Personal life[edit]

Giedroyc is the youngest of four children.[7]Her sisterCoky Giedroycis a film and television director; while her other sister, children's writer Kasia, is married toPhilip Parham,aBritish diplomat.[7]

Giedroyc is married to Ben Morris, a television director and teacher atLAMDA.[39]They have two daughters.[40]

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Role Channel Notes
1996 French and Saunders Various characters BBC One 4 episodes; withSue Perkins
Also credited for additional material
The Vicar of Dibley Mary Tinker 1 episode
1997–98 Light Lunch Co-presenter Channel 4 WithSue Perkins
1998 Late Lunch
2005 Blessed Sue Chandler BBC One
2006 Mist: The Tale of a Sheepdog Puppy Voice of Mist Channel 5 One-off TV film
Richard Hammond's 5 O'Clock Show Co-presenter ITV 1 series; withRichard Hammond
2008–2011 Sorry, I've Got No Head Various characters CBBC
2010 Miranda Life coach BBC Two 1 episode
2010–16 The Great British Bake Off Co-presenter BBC Two(2010–13)
BBC One(2014–16) 		7 series; withSue Perkins
2011–14 Sadie J Ms. V CBBC
2013, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023 Have I Got News for You Guest presenter BBC One 5 episodes
2014 Draw It! Presenter Channel 4 1 series
Collectaholics BBC Two
Vertigo Road Trip BBC One One-off show
2015–16 Now You See It Narrator BBC One[41] 2 series
2015 The Gift Co-presenter BBC One 1 series; withMatt Baker
Mel and Sue ITV 1 series; withSue Perkins
Relatively Clever Presenter Sky1 1 series
Eurovision Song Contest 2015 Co-commentator[42] BBC Three Semi-finals; withScott Mills
The Sound of Music Live Frau Schmidt ITV One-off special
2016–19 Eurovision: You Decide Presenter BBC Four(2016)
BBC Two(2017—19) 		WithMåns Zelmerlöw(2018–19)
2016 Eurovision Song Contest 2016 Co-commentator BBC Four Semi-finals; withScott Mills
Horrible Histories Various CBBC 2 episodes
2017 Let It Shine Co-presenter BBC One 1 series; withGraham Norton
The Secret Chef Narrator ITV 1 series
Let's Sing and Dance for Comic Relief[43] Co-presenter BBC One 1 series; withSue Perkins
Taskmaster[44] Herself Dave Series 4
Eurovision Song Contest 2017 Co-commentator BBC Four Semi-finals; withScott Mills
Pitch Battle Presenter BBC One 1 series
Mary, Mel and Sue's Big Christmas Thank You One-off special 1 series
2017– Letterbox Presenter BBC Two 2 series
Children in Need Co-presenter BBC One withGraham NortonandAde Adepitan
2018 The Generation Game Co-presenter BBC One 1 series; withSue Perkins
Eurovision Song Contest 2018 UK spokesperson BBC One,EBU
2020– Hitmen Co-Star Sky1 2 series; withSue Perkins
2021– Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable Presenter Dave 3 series
2021 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special[45] Contestant BBC One With professional dance partnerNeil Jones[46]
2021–2022 One Night In... Narrator Channel 4 4 episodes
Handmade: Britain's Best Woodworker Presenter Channel 4 2 series; (2021)[47](2022)[48]
2022 The Really Really Rude Puppet Show (w/t) Host Channel 4 6 episodes[49]
2023 Eurovision Song Contest 2023 Co-commentator BBC One Final; withGraham Norton
Mary Makes It Easy Guest BBC Two With hostMary Berry

Books[edit]

  • 2005,From Here to Maternity: One Mother of a Journey,Ebury Press,ISBN978-0091897505– diary based on her first pregnancy.
  • 2007,Going Ga-Ga: Is there life after birth?,Ebury Press,ISBN978-0-09-190592-7– similar theme.
  • 2021,The Best Things,Headline ReviewISBN978-1472256218- debut novel

References[edit]

  1. ^"Let It Shine - Mel Giedroyc".BBC One.Retrieved4 November2019.
  2. ^Matharu, Hardeep (11 December 2014)."Buns in the oven! Great British Bake off presenter officially opens new birth centre".yourlocalguardian.co.uk.
  3. ^"Births, marriages and deaths: March 21, 2024".
  4. ^abStanford, Peter (25 March 2010)."My father's Siberian prison hell".The Daily Telegraph.Archivedfrom the original on 12 January 2022.Retrieved29 January2018.
  5. ^"Michal Giedroyc".The Times.29 January 2018.Retrieved29 January2018.(subscription required)
  6. ^"Births, marriages and deaths: March 21, 2024".
  7. ^abcGiedroyc, Mel; Barbe r, Richard (11 March 2016)."Mel Giedroyc: my family values".The Guardian.Retrieved29 January2018.
  8. ^"Mel Giedroyc - Oxford High".Oxford High School.Retrieved13 May2023.
  9. ^Giedroyc, Mel; Sale, Jonathan (8 October 2009)."Passed/Failed: An education in the life of comedian Mel Giedroyc".The Independent.London.Archivedfrom the original on 12 May 2022.Retrieved29 January2018.
  10. ^Mist: Sheepdog TalesatIMDb
  11. ^Fulton, Rick (7 February 2015)."Mel Giedroyc reveals how she went from near bankruptcy to Bake Off stardom".Daily Record.
  12. ^"Mel and Sue to reunite for The Great British Bake-Off".Daily Mirror.29 January 2010.Retrieved9 August2010.
  13. ^Foster, Patrick (12 September 2016)."BBC loses Great British Bake Off, as Channel 4 swoops for corporation's biggest show".The Daily Telegraph.Retrieved12 September2016.
  14. ^"Great British Bake Off: Mel and Sue to quit as hosts".BBC News.13 September 2016.Retrieved13 September2016.
  15. ^"Mary Berry to leave Bake Off ahead of Channel 4 move".BBC News.22 September 2016.Retrieved22 September2016.
  16. ^Martinson, Jane (22 September 2016)."Mary Berry to leave Bake Off – but Paul Hollywood agrees to stay".The Guardian.Retrieved23 September2016.
  17. ^"Mel Giedroyc to host Channel 4's new 'Draw Something' game show".Digital Spy.25 April 2013.
  18. ^Cox, P. (June 2014). "The dizzy heights of psychology in the media".The Psychologist.27(6): 462.
  19. ^"The One Show, 12/11/2014".BBC One.Retrieved18 November2014.
  20. ^"Now You See It".Digiguide.tv.
  21. ^"Great British Bake Off stars clinch ITV chat show".The Guardian.14 August 2014.Retrieved18 November2014.
  22. ^"Mel & Sue".Be On ITV.4 December 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 4 December 2014.
  23. ^"Mel & Sue's daytime chatshow has been dropped by ITV".Digital Spy.11 August 2015.
  24. ^"The Gift".BBC Media Centre.
  25. ^Nissim, Mayer (22 October 2014)."Mel Giedroyc to host Relatively Clever family quiz show on Sky1".Digital Spy.
  26. ^"Eurovision 2015: 'Great British Bake Off' Presenter Mel Giedroyc To Join Scott Mills For Semi-Finals Coverage, 27/04/2015".Huffington Post UK.27 April 2015.Retrieved13 June2015.
  27. ^"Eurovision Song Contest, 2016, Semi-Final 1".BBC One.
  28. ^"Mel and Sue are bringing The Generation Game back to BBC One".BBC Media Centre.Retrieved23 July2017.
  29. ^"Star-studded presenter line-up announced for BBC Children in Need 2017".BBC Media Centre.16 October 2017.
  30. ^"Expectation Entertainment Shows".Expectation Entertainment.Retrieved11 April2020.
  31. ^"Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable".Dave.Retrieved9 March2021.
  32. ^Mel Giedroyc churns butter behind Hannah Waddington in hilarious Eurovision moment,13 May 2023,retrieved23 June2023
  33. ^Yeates, Cydney (13 May 2023)."Mel Giedroyc steals Eurovison 2023 final after seductively churning butter".Metro.Retrieved23 June2023.
  34. ^"Dave Gorman – Show Blog".Absolute Radio.Archived fromthe originalon 17 July 2012.Retrieved25 October2013.
  35. ^"Lee Mack, Michael Palin and Sofia Helin".BBC Radio 2.Retrieved18 November2014.
  36. ^"BBC Children in Need – Gareth Malone forms an all-star choir for the Official BBC Children in Need single".BBC.Retrieved18 November2014.
  37. ^"Gareth Malone to form All-Star Choir for official BBC Children in Need single 2014".BBC Media Centre.Retrieved18 November2014.
  38. ^Billington, Michael (19 April 2018)."Much Ado About Nothing review – Mel Giedroyc blazes through Great Sicilian Bake Off".The Guardian.Retrieved18 January2020.
  39. ^"On the rise: Mel Giedroyc on Bingate and baking mischief with Mary Berry".Evening Standard.30 January 2015.Retrieved17 October2019.
  40. ^Graham, Jane (27 November 2012)."Mel Giedroyc:" Hopefully my daughters won't do what I did! "".The Big Issue.Retrieved9 March2021.
  41. ^"Now You See It – Styling it out".CBBC.
  42. ^BBC Three Entertainment (27 April 2015)."Mel Giedroyc to join Scott Mills as co-host of BBC Three's Eurovision Song Contest Semi Finals coverage".BBC Media Centre.Retrieved27 April2015.
  43. ^"Mel and Sue to present Let's Sing and Dance for Comic Relief".BBC Media Centre.28 October 2016.
  44. ^"Taskmaster Series 4 line-up revealed".British Comedy Guide.1 November 2016.
  45. ^"Mel Giedroyc is the third celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special 2021".Radio Times.Retrieved25 December2021.
  46. ^"Strictly's all-star Christmas special - Mel Giedroyc and Neil Jones".bbc.co.uk/mediacentre.Retrieved25 December2021.
  47. ^"Handmade: Britain's Best Woodworker".Radio Times.Retrieved13 October2021.
  48. ^"Handmade: Britain's Best Woodworker - Meet the woodworkers | Channel 4".channel4.Retrieved22 September2022.
  49. ^Yossman, K. J. (24 June 2022)."Erotic Fan Fiction Puppet Show Hosted by Mel Giedroyc Set for Channel 4 – Global Bulletin".Variety.Retrieved22 September2022.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mel_Giedroyc&oldid=1234722442"