Gyles Brandreth
One of Britain’s best known authors, actors and TV personalities
The multitalented former Conservative MP Gyles Brandreth has had an immensely varied and interesting career.
Full Profile
A familiar face from Countdown’s Dictionary Corner, Gyles Brandreth is now a regular contributor to ‘The One Show’ on BBC 1 and ‘Just A Minute’ on Radio 4. Recognised not only for his wit and ability as a presenter and stage actor, Brandreth is famous for his distinctive accent and for his love of vibrantly coloured jumpers. Former Conservative MP for the City of Chester, Lord of The Treasury and a government whip, Brandreth’s uniquely varied career and range of interests have seen him become a popular writer and speaker.
The author of numerous popular novels, he has also written a number of biographies, has published some of his diaries and has written and starred in his own award-winning West End musical revue.
- Bestselling author
- Broadcaster
- Actor
- Former Conservative MP and government whip
An intriguing career and ample experience mean that the ever engaging and charismatic Brandreth has a vast array of anecdotes to share with audiences of all sizes. His unique wit and delivery style make him an obvious choice for awards hosting and after dinner speaking, he has even held the record for the longest continuous after dinner speech, racking up twelve and a half hours in aid of charity.
Former MP, stage actor, TV presenter, author and founder of a teddy bear museum these are just a few of the many roles which Gyles Brandreth has taken on during his working life. Now an occasional presenter on The One Show, London correspondent for Up to the Minute on CBS News and a regular on Radio 4s Just A Minute, Brandreth’s broadcasting experiences incorporate some of the UKs best loved shows, including Have I Got News for You and QI.
He is also known for his work as an interviewer for national papers such as the Sunday Telegraph and has written numerous books, from children’s novels to royal autobiographies. Brandreth was the Conservative MP for the City of Chester between 1992 and 1997, during which time his proposal for a Private Member’s Bill was made law as the Marriage Act 1994. He was appointed a Lord of the Treasury in 1995 (whilst John Major was in power) and became a well-known government whip. His experiences in such roles have inspired a number of his writings and he has since published diaries from his time in politics.
In addition to his writing and presenting, Brandreth is a keen actor who has played Malvolio in Shakespeares Twelfth Night, Baron Hardup in Cinderella and Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, a play penned by Oscar Wilde, the man who has inspired and is the protagonist of many of Brandreth’s novels. His abilities as a speaker and comic have combined in his stage shows Looking for Happiness and The One to One Show, both of which have been well met by audiences and critics alike.
Born in Germany, Gyles Daubeney Brandreth moved to London with his family at the age of three. A gifted student, he eventually attended Oxfords New College, where he became President of the Oxford Union and edited Isis, the university student magazine.
Gyles Brandreth Positions and Honours
- Trustee – British Forces Foundation
- Vice-president – the National Playing Fields Association
- Editorial consultant – Whitakers Almanack
- President – the Association of British Scrabble Players
- Patron – the National Piers Society
- Co-founder (with Michle Brown) – Teddy Bear museum
- Former co-curator – exhibition of 20th century children’s authors, National Portrait Gallery
- Former European Monopoly champion