Gyles Brandreth Biography
As an after dinner speaker who has featured in the Guinness Book of Records for making the longest ever speech (lasting twelve and a half hours) Gyles always has something to contribute to any conference or dinner.
Gyles Brandreth A Man of Many Talents
His career has ranged from playing Baron Hardup in Cinderella to being a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury in John Major’s government. Known for the colourful jumpers he wore on countless game shows and on TV-AM in the ‘70s and ‘80s, he became the MP for Chester in 1992. In 1997, with politics behind him, he returned to a career in writing and broadcasting, whilst gaining acclaim in the corporate world for his hilarious after dinner speeches.
His account of his life at Westminster, Breaking the Code, was described by The Times as ‘By far the best political diary of recent years, far more perceptive and revealing than Alan Clark’s.’ He is editor at large of the Sunday Telegraph Review, a London correspondent for CBS News, and presenter of LBC’s weekly arts and entertainment programme for ITN Radio.
Focus on Culture & Media
His television and radio credits include Countdown, Have I Got News for You, Just a Minute and the Motion Show, and he has also been the subject of This Is Your Life.
A former Oxford scholar, President of the Oxford Union and artistic director of the Oxford Theatre Festival, he has co-produced three plays in the West End, written a show about A A Milne with Julian Slade (the creator of Salad Days), and scripted the TV series Dear Ladies with Hinge & Bracket. He is the author of many books including a history of pantomime and an acclaimed biography of Sir John Gielgud. His most recent book is a study of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip.
Gyles wrote and performed in Zipp! (One hundred musicals for less than the price of one), the musical comedy revue which won the "Most Popular Show" Award at the 2002 Edinburgh Festival, followed by a hugely successful world-wide tour
Organisations Belonged To
Gyles co founded the award-winning Teddy Bear Museum in Stratford-upon-Avon with his wife Michele. He is a former chairman and now vice-president of the National Playing Fields Association, the national trust of recreational space. A member of Trevor McDonald’s Better English campaign and the founder of the National Scrabble Championships.
Speaking Topics
Gyles is a politician, an actor, and is featured in the Guinness Book of Records for making the longest after dinner speech ever!
- Politics
For further information or to book Gyles Brandreth, call us on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Outside of appearing and speaking at live corporate and private events Gyles Brandreth has a number of retail products available that can be purchased through Speakers Corner. For upcoming new book and product launches related to Gyles Brandreth then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Gyles Brandreth Books
Gyles Brandreth DVDs
Gyles Brandreth News
A selection of relevant news related to Gyles Brandreth and Comedy stories. For more information on Gyles Brandreth or details as to how to book Gyles Brandreth for your corporate event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Many of Speakers Corner's favourite speakers & comedians are appearing at The Chichester Festivities which starts tomorrow
25th June 2009
The Chichester Festivities begins tomorrow the 26th July and continues with 17 days of world-class music, fireworks, talks, jazz, comedy, exhibitions and spectacular outdoor events. A superb line-up of people are involved with this years event, including many of Speakers Corner's favourite speakers - Gavin Esler, Gyles Brandreth, Chris Patten, Nigel Lawson, Julian Clary and Vince Cable to name just a few
After 3 successful Radio 4 series, Genius presented by Dave Gorman has a new home on BBC2
16th March 2009
The new TV show, Genius, invites members of the public to pitch their ideas to a celebrity guest "genius" who then decides whether or not the idea is clever enough to mark them out as a genius. At the end of the show, the guest's two favourite ideas are put to the public who then decide which one of them gets to win the fabled Genius Trophy....
BBC's 'One Show' is back
14th July 2007
Adrian Chiles & Myleene Klass host BBC's One Show with an impressive line-up of talented presenters
Trained concert pianist, Condoleezza Rice, performs for The Queen
4th December 2008
Amid her many talents Condoleezza Rice is also a trained concert pianist. She originally planned a career in music and enrolled at university to study the subject, before switching to political science. The outgoing American Secretary of State fulfilled a dream by giving a recital to her majesty...
George Bush is the latest recruit to the US motivational speaker circuit
26th October 2009
George Bush is the United State's newest and most controversial motivational speaker. He will deliver the headline keynote speech for the Get Motivated seminar in Texas today, alongside former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former Mayor of New York Rudy Guiliani and Microsoft's President, Rick Belluzzo
Kenneth Clarke: The once and future Chancellor?
19th November 2008
Kenneth Clarke made his name clearing up after Black Wednesday. Now Britain's elder statesman of finance is back with a plan to save the country
Obama builds up White House team
6th November 2008
Barack Obama has started forming his administration by asking Rahm Emanuel, a former adviser to President Clinton, to be his chief-of-staff.
The coalition government marks its first 100 days in office
18th August 2010
Today the coalition government marks its first 100 days in office. The Government says its has got to grips with the budget deficit.
Mayor for Birmingham
29th October 2007
Among prominent figures so far touted for an elected mayor in Birmingham are Karen Brady, the managing director of Birmingham City Football Club, and Sir Digby Jones
Speakers Corner are delighted to welcome Tom Conti as an after dinner speaker & awards host
1st December 2009
Speakers Corner are delighted to welcome Tom Conti to the corporate sector as an after dinner speaker and awards host. The British award-winning film, television, and stage comedy actor who won an Olivier and Broadway Tony award for his role in Whose Life Is It Anyway?, is an accomplished director, an author and with many anecdotes and his charismatic personality, is an ideal after dinner speaker & awards host
Gyles Brandreth Reviews
Gyles Brandreth has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for Gyles Brandreth for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book Gyles Brandreth for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
"Gyles delivered a very humorous after dinner speech that was well geared to the audience and he showed great patience and authority during the briefing beforehand with our client. Our only complaint was that he went well over his alloted time which meant we had to cut off 40 mins fo time from the set of an 18 piece band - not easy!"
"Gyles caught the mood of the evening very well and in our view he was one of the very best speakers we have heard for several years. Gyles was also most helpful in conversing easily with Russian and mexican Ambassadors which they enjoyed enormously"
"Gyles was great with guests and quickly assessed the mood of the audience"
Q & A with Gyles Brandreth
Gyles Brandreth answered some probing questions for Speakers Corner. For speaking secrets revealed - read on! To book Gyles Brandreth for your event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Speakers Corner: How did working in the corporate sector start?
Gyles Brandreth: It began 40 years ago when I was President of the Oxford Union and was taken up by the UK's leading speakers' agency at the time as a "student who can tell business what Britain's youth is all about"! Since then, I have gone on addressing corporate audiences - but obviously with the experience of my later working life within the media, as a businessman myself, as an MP and at the Treasury.
Speakers Corner: Can you remember your first speaking engagement?
Gyles Brandreth: Yes, I was 17 and addressed an educational conference at the New York Hilton. I was very excited to get a standing ovation.
Speakers Corner: And your last event?
Gyles Brandreth: Yesterday: 1700 senior business figures at the Grosvenor House Hotel. I was still very excited to get a standing ovation!.
Speakers Corner: Which event has been your favourite and why?
Gyles Brandreth: Probably sharing a platform with Tony Blair at the WI - when he was given the slow hand-clap and I got a standing ovation! Speaking at the Kremlin was memorable. Ditto speaking at Buckingham Palace...
Speakers Corner: Which artist/comedian/entertainer do you most admire?
Gyles Brandreth: The most impressive speakers I have heard in person are Bill Clinton and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. As far as comedy goes, I've had the privilege of seeing the likes of Bob Hope and Ken Dodd in their prime. I worked a lot with Kenneth Williams: he was a very funny man and a genius of a raconteur...
If you are interested in booking Gyles Brandreth for your live event or require any additional information regarding Gyles Brandreth then please fill in the enquiry form below and one of the Speakers Corner booking agents will contact you within 24 hours.
For further information or to book Gyles Brandreth, call us on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
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