Gyles Brandreth
A national treasure and a man who knows everyone, Gyles Brandreth is a writer, broadcaster, performer, former MP and Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, now Chancellor of the University of Chester and one of Britain’s most sought-after award ceremony hosts and after-dinner speakers. A veteran of TV shows like QI (2003-) and Have I Got News For You (1999-2017), a reporter for The One Show (2008-) and a regular on BBC Radio 4’s Just a Minute, his many books include the fictional Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries and the number one non-fiction bestseller, The 7 Secrets of Happiness.
A former Oxford Scholar, President of the Oxford Union and MP for Chester, Gyles’ career has ranged from being a Whip and Lord Commissioner of the Treasury in John Major’s government to starring in his own award-winning musical revue in London’s West End.
An honest name-dropper, Gyles’ ancestors include George R Sims, a highly-paid journalist, Jeremiah Brandreth, the last man in England to be beheaded for treason, Benjamin Brandreth and the inventor of ‘Brandreth’s Pills’ a pill that cures everything.
Gyles is now in high demand as a speaker – he is actually the world record holder for the longest after-dinner speech at 12 and a half hours, so be careful what you wish for. Oozing with intelligence, anecdotes, charisma, style and class, Gyles will keep an audience engaged from the very start to the very end.
Contact Great British Speakers today to book Former MP Gyles Brandreth for your next event.
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More About Gyles Brandreth
GYLES BRANDRETH | IN POLITICS
In his first career as a politician, Gyles Brandreth was a member of the Conservative party and MP for the city of Chester. He was also Lord Commissioner of the Treasury during John Major’s government, as well as Lord of the Treasury (or ‘whip’). His notable achievements include a proposed bill that later became law as the 1994 Marriage Act.
GYLES BRANDRETH | BROADCASTING WORK
Now a prolific broadcaster and fabulous guest star, Gyles has appeared in TV shows including Blankety-Blank (1989), Celebrity Gogglebox (2019-), Celebrity Mastermind (2004), Pointless Celebrities (2012-2020), Great Canal Journeys (2020-), the IT Crowd (2010), Loose Women (2004-2010), Opportunity Knocks (1960s), Panorama (2001), Room 101 (2005-2014) – and over 300 appearances on Countdown (1983-).
He is also a familiar voice on the radio, presenting and talking for BBC Radios 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 live, including Woman’s Hour, The Week in Westminster, Pick of the Week, My Teenage Diaries and Desert Island Discs in 2011. For five years, he hosted more than 200 editions of LBC’s weekly arts and entertainment show, Sunday With Gyles Brandreth where he sharpened his interview skills with the likes of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ken Livingstone, Felicity Kendal, Hear’Say, Richard Whiteley, Uri Geller, Prunella Scales and Christopher Lee, amongst many, many others.
In 2019, Gyles began co-hosting a podcast called Something Rhymes with Purple alongside Countdown alumni, and fellow Great British Speaker Susie Dent. The podcast discussions the English language, particularly historic or unusual words and their origins.
GYLES BRANDRETH | PERFORMER
His one-man shows have won multiple five-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe and tour regularly throughout the UK. He has been seen in the West End in Zipp! One Hundred Musicals for Less Than the Price of One, Twelfth Night: The Musical, Cinderella, The Importance of Being Earnest and Hamlet, as well as Edinburgh shows The One to One Show and Wonderland.
GYLES BRANDRETH | WRITING CAREER
As well as his experience with live broadcasting, Gyles is a proficient writer of newspaper columns, fiction and non-fiction books.
He has contributed work to The Sunday Telegraph, Honey magazine, Woman, Woman’s Own, TV Times, New Statesman, the Spectator, Dogs Today and Manchester Evening News.
He is also a bestselling author of both fiction and non-fiction books, which titles including Breaking the Code: Westminster Diaries, Philip & Elizabeth: Portrait of a Marriage, The Joy of Lex, Have You Eaten Grandma, Philip: The Final Portrait, John Gielgud: An Actor’s Life and A Guide to Playing the Scrabble Brand Crossword Game, as well as the famous Oscar Wilde themed fictions including Oscar Wilde and the Ring of Death, the Dead Man’s Smile and the Return of Jack the Ripper.
GYLES BRANDRETH | CORPORATE SPEAKING
Gyles won his first prize as public speaker when he was 15 years old, and he hasn’t slowed down since. He has spoken all over the world from Helmsley Palace, Buckingham Palace and Wembley Arena, from New York to Frankfurt, and for Coca-Cola, bankers and nuns, Margaret Thatcher, Bill Clinton and Richard Branson. Thanks to his vast and varied experience, he is now one of Britain’s busiest after-dinner speakers and hosts. His speeches are delivered with bundles of enthusiasm and humour with endless interesting anecdotes.
GYLES BRANDRETH | SPEAKING TOPICS
– Politics
– Journalism
– Broadcasting
– Current Affairs
He is a confident and passionate speaker and host, bringing his charm and charisma to all types of events, managing to keep every audience member engaged from beginning to end.
Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book National Treasure Gyles Brandreth for your corporate event.
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