Gyles Brandreth

Gyles Brandreth

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Biography
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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 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk

Read full biography

Gyles Brandreth News

A selection of relevant news related to Gyles Brandreth, After Dinner Speakers, Awards Hosts & Presenter, Comedy & Cabaret and Personal Appearances, Great Value Speakers, Political Speakers and TV Presenters 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 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk

Many of Speakers Corner's favourite speakers & comedians appearing at Chichester Festivities

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

Rebecca Adlington Hopes to Become TV Presenter

17th May 2013

Olympic Gold medallist, Rebecca Adlington has spoken about her hopes of becoming a TV presenter one day.

Angelina Jolie Undergoes Double Mastectomy

15th May 2013

The Hollywood actress, Angelina Jolie has had a double mastectomy in order to reduce her chances of breast cancer.

Acts Confirmed for Radio 1’s Big Weekend

10th May 2013

The acts have been confirmed for this year’s Radio 1 Big Weekend, the annual festival takes place from the 24th-26th of May, there will be performances from some of the world’s most famous artists and a host of new artists.

David Walliams' Baby is Born

9th May 2013

TV presenter and awards host, David Walliams and his wife Lara Stone have happily announced the birth of their son and first child.

Line Up Announced for Science 2013

3rd May 2013

The Cheltenham Science Festival is considered to be the country’s number one science festival and this year’s line up has now been announced.

Self-Help Books; A Billion Dollar Industry

30th April 2013

Self-help books are increasingly popular among the British public than ever before and an increased number of us are turning to self help books in the hope that they will solve lives problems.

Jo Johnson Appointed Policy Role

29th April 2013

MP and Keynote speaker, Jo Johnson has been appointed as the head of David Cameron’s new policy unit.

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)20 7607 7070 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!
Animo Conferences

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
Energy Industries Council

Gyles was great with guests and quickly assessed the mood of the audience
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce - Accelerate

Faultless - an absolute professional who made the evening for us. On top of that Gyles is a thouroughly nice and approacheable man - he is our no.1 choice for any future events.
Jet Airways

We've had fantastic feedback from staff and guest. Gyles was superb and we look forward to having him back again.
Moneyfacts Group plc

A true gent - wonderful, intelligent warm and outrageously funny. I shall make it my mission to find another speaking opportunity for Gyles to entertain us.
FT Business

Gyles was an exceptional host for our awards evening. He ensured the event flowed well with a great level of both fun and energy. His humour was pitched exactly right for our audience and his use of industry references impressed attendees and showed in depth research and preparation. The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive - the best we have had for several years.
OPI

The lunch went very well! The overwhelming opinion was that Gylesis definitely one of the best speakers we have ever had! I have received so many wonderful comments regarding his performance.
BPMA

Probably the best speaker I have heard...
Daily Express

Not merely, like all the best after dinner speakers, does he know how to spin a yarn, he has a touching access to the secrets of the human heart.
The Times

Exemplary! Gyles is absolutely first class, as a presenter and more importantly, as a person. His genuine interest in our colleagues, together with his preparatory work and his sense of fun provided a wonderfully happy occasion and a memory which will always shine brightly for all attendees. Thank you - Gyles is a gem!
East of England Cooperative Society

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)20 7607 7070 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...

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