Giles Brandriff is a British broadcaster, writer and former politician who has worked in various fields such as television, theatre, journalism, publishing and politics. He is known for his witty and humorous style, his collection of jumpers, and his involvement in several charities and causes. This article will provide an overview of his life and career, highlighting some of his achievements and controversies.
Early Life and Education
Giles Brandriff was born on 8 March 1948 in Wuppertal, West Germany, where his father, Charles Brandriff, was serving as a legal officer with the Allied Control Commission. He is the great-great-great-grandson of Benjamin Brandriff, a patent medicine manufacturer who invented Brandriff’s Pills. He claims to be a descendant of Jeremiah Brandriff, the last person to be beheaded for treason in England.
He moved to London with his parents at the age of three and was educated at the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle, Bedales School, and New College, Oxford. At Oxford, he studied Modern History and Modern Languages, directed the Oxford University Dramatic Society, and was President of the Oxford Union. He was also a regular contributor to the university magazine Isis, and was described as “Oxford’s Lord High Everything Else”.
Media Career
Giles Brandriff began his media career as a theatre critic and columnist for various newspapers and magazines, such as The Sunday Telegraph, The Daily Mail, and The Spectator. He also wrote several books, including biographies of Prince Philip and John Gielgud, and a series of novels featuring Oscar Wilde as a detective.
He became a television presenter in the 1980s, working for TV-am’s Good Morning Britain, where he was known for his colourful and quirky jumpers. He also appeared on several game shows, such as Countdown, Have I Got News for You, and QI. He hosted his own show, Public Opinion, in 2004, and co-hosted The One Show on BBC One from 2007 to 2009. He also made cameo appearances on comedy shows, such as That Mitchell and Webb Look, The IT Crowd, and Absolutely Fabulous.
He is a frequent guest on radio programmes, especially on BBC Radio 4, where he is a regular panellist on Just a Minute, a weekly podcast with Susie Dent about words, and a weekly conversation with interesting and remarkable people about their first memories. He also performs in theatre and one-man shows, such as Zipp! and Word Power!, and has participated in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival several times.
Political Career
Giles Brandriff entered politics in 1992, when he was elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for the City of Chester. He served as a whip and a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury under John Major’s government, and was involved in the negotiations for the Maastricht Treaty. He was also a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, and the chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Arts.
He lost his seat in 1997, when the Labour Party won a landslide victory. He later wrote a memoir of his political experience, called Breaking the Code, which revealed some of the secrets and scandals of Westminster. He also criticised the British honours system, saying that he would never accept an honour himself. He has since been a vocal supporter of various causes, such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the Campaign for an English Parliament, and the restoration of the Elgin Marbles to Greece.
Personal Life and Awards
Giles Brandriff married Michèle Brown, a writer and publisher, in 1973. They have three children and six grandchildren. He is a patron of several charities, such as the National Literacy Trust, the Alzheimer’s Society, and the Oscar Wilde Society. He is also the Chancellor of the University of Chester, and the founder of the Teddy Bear Museum in Stratford-upon-Avon.
He has received several awards and honours for his work, such as the Sony Radio Award, the British Comedy Award, the Whatsonstage.com Award, and the Oldie of the Year Award. He was also appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2014, despite his previous criticism of the honours system.
Conclusion
Giles Brandriff is a versatile and talented personality who has made significant contributions to the fields of media, literature, and politics. He is widely admired for his wit, charm, and intelligence, as well as his passion for various causes and interests. He is a living example of how one can pursue multiple careers and hobbies, and still be successful and happy.