Des Lynam

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Des Lynam Biography

Des Lynam - Awards host and presenter, sports
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  • TV/Radio Presenter

Desmond Lynam OBE is a fantastic sports presenter and game show host on television and radio. He is one of the best known sports broadcasters in the UK, having hosted television coverage of high profile events for many years. He has presented numerous popular shows from Grandstand and Match of the Day to Holiday, How Do They Do That? and Countdown.

The Early Broadcasting Career

Des started his career in broadcasting as a freelance in radio, on BBC Radio Brighton (1968-1969). He quickly joined national BBC radio in London, originally specialising in commentating on boxing, and went on to anchor Sport on Two and Sports Report (1969-1978) on BBC Radio 2. From 1974 - 1976 he co-presented the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 on three mornings each week.

Des Lynam as Television & Radio Sports Presenter

Des moved to television in 1977 starting off with Sportswide as part of Nationwide which he did until the show's end in 1983 and then presented Grandstand (1979-1991, occasionally until 1999), Sportsnight (1991-1997) and Match of the Day (1988-1999) on the BBC for many years, and also fronted BBC coverage of Wimbledon, The Grand National, the Football World Cup (1982-1998) and the Olympic Games (1980-1996).

Lynam made a return to radio in 1986 to commentate for the BBC on the Frank Bruno vs. Tim Witherspoon WBA Heavyweight World Title fight at Wembley Stadium on July 19, 1986. He also made a brief return to BBC Radio 2 in 1998, presenting the 5-7pm Drivetime show on Fridays only.

Lynam defected to ITV in 1999, where he presented their flagship football programmes, including coverage of the FA Premier League and UEFA Champions League. He decided to retire from television presenting after the Euro 2004 football championships. Soon afterwards, the BBC announced that Lynam would present a new weekly radio programme, Des Meets..., on BBC Radio Five Live from August 2004. He also covered the 2005 Wimbledon for BBC Radio Five Live.

In 2005, Lynam presented the BBC1 programme 'We'll Meet Again', marking the 60th anniversary of VE Day which celebrated the end of the second World War. The following month, he presented an episode of Have I Got News For You on BBC1, the third time he had presented the show having been in the hot seat twice the previous year. In June and July 2005, he co-presented (with Sir David Frost) the series The World's Greatest Sporting Legend on Sky One.

In 2005, Lynam was named as the new entry into Great Britain's hall of moustache growing fame and later threatened to shave it off, much to the shock of the British public.

Des hosted Countdown in 2006, and in the same year released his autobiography, I Should Have Been At Work. In 2008 Des was awarded an OBE, and during 2010 he regularly contributed to The Telegraph newspaper.

For further information or to book Des Lynam, call us at Speakers Corner on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk

Outside of appearing and speaking at live corporate and private events Des Lynam has a number of retail products available that can be purchased through Speakers Corner. For upcoming new book and product launches related to Des Lynam then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk

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Des Lynam News

A selection of relevant news related to Des Lynam and TV/Radio Presenter stories. For more information on Des Lynam or details as to how to book Des Lynam for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk

BBC masterminds Des Lynam's return
11th March 2008Des Lynam is returning to the BBC after almost a decade to host a sporting spin-off from Mastermind.
Countdown back on air with Des Lynam
31st October 2005Des Lynam, the former television sports anchor, follows Richard Whiteley as the new host of Countdown, the long running Channel 4 quiz show.
Entertainment & Arts Review of 2008
30th December 2008A year of reality shows, great paintings and controversy - it all happened in the world of arts, television and radio in 2008. Here are some of the years highlights....
New show Daybreak with Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley has kicked off
6th September 2010The new show Daybreak replaced GMTV today and presenters Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley were enjoying the views from the Southbank as the sun rose on their brand new studio
Newsreaders help raise record sum for Children in Need
16th November 2008Some of the BBC's best known newsreaders performed a medley of ABBA songs to help raise a record 21 million pounds for Children in Need.
Children's BAFTA Nominations Announced
7th November 2008Nominations are out for this year's EA British Academy Children's Awards. The event celebrates excellence in children's film, television and video games.
Radio Presenters & Interviewers are More Popular than Ever
5th August 2010There has been a big boost in radio listeners over the past few months and interviewing and hosting skills make radio presenters such as Evan Davies and Sarah Montague some of the best conference facilitators around.
Terry Wogan confirms that Chris Evans will replace him as Radio 2 Breakfast host
7th September 2009Sir Terry, 71, told listeners of the long-running Wake Up to Wogan that he would be stepping down at the end of the year.Chris Evans is due to take over the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show slot. However, Sir Terry will not be quitting the airwaves altogether as he has an exciting new show lined up. The DJ said this was the hardest decision he has ever had to make in his broadcasting career. Wake up to Wogan has an army of fans, 8 million of whom tune in on a daily basis to hear his idiosyncratic musings.
Parkinson's last stand
26th November 2007The TV veteran handpicked the final lineup himself, which included David Beckham, Sir Michael Caine, Dame Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, Peter Kay, Dame Edna Everage.
Stars unite for Children in Need
16th November 2007Pop stars, actors and TV presenters are joining forces to raise money for BBC Children in Need. The annual fundraising event culminates in a seven-hour BBC One show with performers including The Spice Girls, Kylie Minogue and Annie Lennox.

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News

6th September 2010
The new show Daybreak replaced GMTV today and presenters Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley were enjoying the views from the Southbank as the sun rose on their brand new studio
3rd September 2010
Record-breaking round the world yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur has launched a new foundation that will aim to find long-term solutions for a sustainable economy. It will bring together young people in education and business innovation to "re-think" the entire way we run our economies.