Michael Aspel facts for kids

Michael Terence Aspel (born 12 January 1933) is a famous English television presenter and newsreader. He is now retired. Michael Aspel hosted many popular TV shows. Some of these include Crackerjack!, Ask Aspel, Aspel & Company, Give Us a Clue, This Is Your Life, Strange but True? and Antiques Roadshow. He was also a radio presenter and journalist.

Early Life and Beginnings

Michael Aspel was born in Battersea, London, on 12 January 1933. During the Second World War, he was moved away from London for safety. He spent almost five years in Chard, Somerset.

After the war, he went to Emanuel School. He passed an important exam called the eleven-plus in 1944. From 1951 to 1953, he served in the military. This was part of his National Service, where young men had to join the armed forces. He was in the King's Royal Rifle Corps.

A Career in Broadcasting

Before becoming famous on TV, Michael Aspel had many different jobs. He worked as a drainpipe-layer and a gardener. He also sold advertising for a newspaper called the Western Mail in Cardiff.

He was a teaboy at a publishing company. Then, after his National Service, he worked at a department store. In 1957, he started working for the BBC in Cardiff. He became a newsreader there.

Early BBC and TV Shows

By the early 1960s, Michael Aspel was one of the main newsreaders on BBC national television. He worked alongside other well-known presenters.

He also started hosting other BBC shows. These included Come Dancing and Crackerjack!. He also hosted Ask Aspel. He presented the Miss World beauty contest 14 times.

Michael Aspel also narrated some interesting films. He was the voice for a cartoon documentary about colour television. He also narrated The War Game. This was a drama about a nuclear war. It won an Oscar in 1966. However, it was not shown on British TV until 1985.

In 1969, Michael Aspel had to step in during a live TV show. The host, Kenneth Horne, became ill. Aspel took over without a script. He handled the situation with dignity.

Eurovision and Radio Work

Michael Aspel hosted the BBC's A Song for Europe contest twice. This show chose Britain's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. He also provided the TV commentary for Eurovision in 1969 and 1976.

He was also popular on radio. He had a joke segment on the Kenny Everett radio show. From 1974 to 1984, he hosted a long music and chat show on Capital Radio. He later worked for LBC and BBC Radio 2.

Moving to ITV and Chat Shows

In the 1970s and 1980s, Michael Aspel presented many popular shows on ITV. These included Give Us a Clue and Child's Play. He also hosted The 6 O'Clock Show. This was a live show with news and entertainment.

In 1989, he hosted a special TV event called Murder Weekend. Viewers could try to solve a mystery to win a prize.

Michael Aspel also presented a chat show called Aspel & Company. This show ran from 1984 to 1993 on ITV. He interviewed many famous people. These included Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and musicians George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The show faced some criticism once for promoting a business. After this, Aspel decided not to host chat shows anymore.

Later Career and Recognition

Michael Aspel became the host of This Is Your Life in 1987. He took over after the previous host, Eamonn Andrews, passed away. Aspel presented the show until it ended in 2003.

From 1993 to 1997, he hosted Strange but True?. This show explored mysteries and supernatural events. In 1997, he presented a new version of the game show Blockbusters for the BBC.

In 1993, Michael Aspel was given an award. He became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This was for his great work in broadcasting. He also won several awards for his TV personality. He was even voted into the Royal Television Society Hall of Fame.

From 2000 to 2008, Aspel presented the BBC's Antiques Roadshow. His last show was a special tribute to him. He also guest-hosted the quiz show Have I Got News for You a couple of times.

In 2008, Michael Aspel filmed a documentary series called Evacuees Reunited. He returned to the places where he lived as a child during the war. He met up with other evacuees and his old school teacher.

Personal Life

Michael Aspel has been married three times and has seven children. He lives in Weybridge, Surrey, with his partner, Irene Clarke.

He is a supporter of Cancer Research UK. In 2008, he was made a Freeman of the borough of Elmbridge, Surrey. This is an honour given by a local council.

Charity Work

Michael Aspel is a Vice-President of The Children's Trust. This charity helps children who have suffered brain injuries.

He is also a Patron and a long-time supporter of the Princess Alice Hospice in Esher. He also supports The British Evacuees Association.

Aspel is one of the presidents of Better Planet Education.