Gyles Brandreth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gyles Brandreth
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Gyles Brandreth in 2022
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| Chancellor of the University of Chester | |
| Assumed office 17 March 2017 |
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| Vice-Chancellor | Timothy Wheeler Eunice Simmons |
| Preceded by | The Duke of Westminster |
| Lord Commissioner of the Treasury | |
| In office 12 December 1996 – 2 May 1997 |
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| Prime Minister | John Major |
| Preceded by | Michael Bates |
| Succeeded by | Graham Allen |
| Assistant Whip | |
| In office 25 November 1995 – 12 December 1996 |
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| Prime Minister | John Major |
| Preceded by | Liam Fox |
| Succeeded by | Matthew Carrington |
| Member of Parliament for City of Chester |
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| In office 9 April 1992 – 8 April 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Peter Morrison |
| Succeeded by | Christine Russell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 March 1948 Wuppertal, Germany |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse |
Michèle Brown
(m. 1973) |
| Children | 3 (including Aphra) |
| Relatives |
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| Residences | Barnes, London, England |
| Alma mater | New College, Oxford (BA) |
Gyles Daubeney Brandreth (born 8 March 1948) is a well-known British writer, broadcaster, and former politician. He is famous for his work on television and radio, his funny and colourful jumpers, and his many books.
In the 1980s, he was a presenter on the morning TV show Good Morning Britain. He is a very frequent guest on the Channel 4 game show Countdown and often appears on the BBC's The One Show. He is also a regular on the BBC Radio 4 comedy show Just a Minute.
From 1992 to 1997, Brandreth was a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for the city of Chester. An MP is someone elected to represent their local area in the House of Commons. After leaving politics, he returned to his career in the media.
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Early Life and Education
Gyles Brandreth was born in 1948 in Wuppertal, Germany. His father, Charles, was a legal officer working there after World War II. When Gyles was three, his family moved back to London. He went to the Lycée Français de Londres and later Bedales School.
He studied Modern History and Modern Languages at New College, Oxford. At university, he was very active in student life. He was the President of the Oxford Union, a famous debating society, and was involved in the university's drama society.
Career in Television
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Brandreth is one of the most recognisable faces on British television. He has appeared in "Dictionary Corner" on the game show Countdown over 300 times, more than any other guest. He was also known for his unique collection of jumpers on the morning show Good Morning Britain.
Panel Shows and Guest Appearances
He is a frequent guest on many TV panel shows, including QI and Have I Got News for You. He also contributes to the popular BBC evening programme The One Show.
From 2019, Brandreth appeared on Celebrity Gogglebox, where viewers watch famous people watch and comment on television shows. He has shared the sofa with other celebrities like Sheila Hancock, Maureen Lipman, Joanna Lumley, and Susie Dent.
In 2020, he and actor Sheila Hancock took over from Timothy West and Prunella Scales for two episodes of Great Canal Journeys. They learned how to navigate a canal boat and travelled along the River Thames.
Radio and Podcasts
Brandreth has been a familiar voice on the radio for many years. He has often appeared on the popular BBC Radio 4 comedy game Just a Minute, where contestants must speak on a subject for one minute without hesitation, repetition, or deviation.
In 2019, he started a podcast called Something Rhymes with Purple with word expert Susie Dent. In the podcast, they explored the history of the English language, unusual words, and the origins of common phrases. The podcast ended in July 2024. He also hosts a podcast called Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth, where he interviews famous people about their first memories.
Work as a Writer
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Brandreth is a successful author who has written many books for both children and adults. He has written books about words, puzzles, and jokes. He also wrote an official biography of the famous actor Sir John Gielgud.
Royal Biographies and Diaries
In 1999, he published his diaries from his time as a politician, called Breaking the Code. He has also written books about the British royal family. In 2004, he published Philip and Elizabeth: Portrait of a Marriage, about Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries
For fans of detective stories, Brandreth wrote a series of historical mystery novels. The books feature the famous writer Oscar Wilde as a detective who solves crimes with the help of his friends, including Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes.
Time in Politics
In 1992, Gyles Brandreth was elected as the MP for the City of Chester. He served in the House of Commons for five years. During his time as an MP, he introduced a law that became the Marriage Act 1994. This act allowed people to get married in places other than a church or a registry office, such as hotels or historic houses.
In 1995, he was given a government job as a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, which is a type of Whip. A whip's job is to make sure that MPs from their party attend and vote in Parliament. He lost his seat in the 1997 general election and did not return to politics.
Famous Novelty Jumpers
Brandreth is famous for his colourful and humorous jumpers. He began wearing them early in his TV career. He created the designs with artist George Hostler, and they even had their own knitwear label called Gyles & George.
He has a jumper for almost every occasion. For example, he has worn one with a frog on it when meeting princes and another with corgis for royal events. In 2020, the brand was brought back, and some of the classic designs were re-released. One famous jumper with the words "I'm a Luxury" on the front was once worn by Diana, Princess of Wales. Another popular design says "What the ... is going on?".
Other Activities and Personal Life
Brandreth has many other interests. He is a former European champion of the board game Monopoly and helped organise the first British National Scrabble Championship in 1971. He once held the world record for the longest after-dinner speech, speaking for twelve and a half hours for charity.
In 2017, he became the Chancellor of the University of Chester. The Chancellor is the formal head of the university and often hands out degrees at graduation ceremonies.
Brandreth married Michèle Brown in 1973. They have three children: Benet, a barrister; Saethryd, a journalist; and Aphra, who was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2024. The family lives in Barnes, London.
