Chris Tarrant
Born 1946 · Age 79
English broadcaster, radio DJ and television presenter best known for Tiswas (1974–1981), Capital Breakfast (1987–2004) and hosting Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (1998–2014).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Reading, Berkshire
Christopher John Tarrant was born to Basil Avery Tarrant and Joan (née Cox).
Boarder at King's School, Worcester
Educated as a boarder in Choir House at King's School, Worcester (attendance 1960–1964).
Worked as schoolteacher / film director
Worked as a schoolteacher and briefly as a film director for the Central Office of Information (pre-TV career).
Graduated University of Birmingham
Studied English at the University of Birmingham, graduating in 1967.
Joined ATV as newsreader (ATV Today)
Hired by ATV in 1972 as a newsreader on ATV Today, a Midlands current affairs programme.
Became co-presenter on Tiswas
Rose to prominence as co-presenter on the Saturday morning children's show Tiswas (1974–1981).
Married Sheila Robertson
Married Sheila Robertson in Southend-on-Sea in 1976; the couple had two children and divorced in 1982.
'Bucket of Water Song' reached UK chart No.26
As part of the Four Bucketeers group (from Tiswas), the single reached No. 26 in the UK Singles Chart.
Tiswas ended
Tiswas concluded its run in March 1981 after a successful seven-year run.
Divorced Sheila Robertson
Divorced first wife Sheila Robertson in 1982.
Presented O.T.T. (Over The Top)
Launched and hosted the late-night adult version of Tiswas, O.T.T., in 1982 (short-lived but popular among adults).
Hosted Saturday Stayback
Presented the programme Saturday Stayback (TV credits list 1983, 6 episodes).
Joined Capital Radio
Became a presenter at Capital Radio, initially Sunday lunchtime then late-morning weekday slots.
Started hosting Capital Breakfast
Began hosting Capital Breakfast in March 1987, a show that significantly increased Capital's London audience share.
Hosted Everybody's Equal
Hosted the TV quiz show Everybody's Equal (1989–1990).
Launched 'Tarrant on TV'
Presented 'Tarrant on TV', a clip show of unusual programmes from around the world (ran 1990–2006).
Hosted Cluedo (series 2)
Hosted the second series of Cluedo, a panel quiz/murder-drama format.
Married Ingrid Dupre-Walsh
Married Ingrid Dupre-Walsh in 1991 (met while both worked for TV-am); marriage produced additional children (and step-children).
Hosted Carlton New Year and Lose A Million
Hosted the first programme for new contractor Carlton Television (A Carlton New Year) and the game show Lose A Million in 1993.
Hosted Pop Quiz revival
Presented a revival of Pop Quiz in 1994 (one series, 7 episodes).
Hosted Man O Man (UK edition)
Presented the UK edition of Man O Man from 1996 to 1999.
Released 'Ultimate Party Megamix' album
Released a compilation album 'Ultimate Party Megamix' (PolyGram Television), followed by 'Ultimate Summer Party'.
Began hosting Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Became the original presenter of ITV's quiz show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?', a global format sold to 100+ countries.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? production totals
Across his run Tarrant recorded 592 episodes over 30 series; five contestants won the £1m prize during his tenure.
National Television Awards: Special Recognition & Broadcasting Press Guild award
Won National Television Awards Special Recognition (2000) and Broadcasting Press Guild Best Performer (Non-Acting) (2000).
Charles Ingram Millionaire controversy (trial involvement)
Following Charles Ingram's contested £1m win (cheating allegations), Tarrant testified at the trial that he noticed nothing suspicious during filming. (Public attention 2003; controversy occurred earlier.)
Capital Breakfast final show
On 2 April 2004 (reported detail), Tarrant said farewell to Capital Radio after 20 years; by final show he had hosted 4,425 shows and given away £3.5m in prizes. (This event is reported as 2 April 2004 in sources.)
Boat 'Ben Gunn' vandalised and burnt
In June 2000 his River Thames launch, the Ben Gunn, was vandalised and set alight at its mooring in East Molesey.
Signed ITV contract extension for Millionaire
In July 2000 signed a contract with ITV to present Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? until December 2002; later extended to 2013.
Attended/ testified at Ingram fraud trial
Attended and gave testimony during the Ingram cheating trial (media coverage in 2003).
Voice work on film 'Johnny English'
Provided voice-over work, appearing as himself in a radio presentation within the 2003 film Johnny English.
Charity roles acknowledged
Recognition of extensive charity work (Centrepoint ambassador, trustee/patron roles), cited as reason for OBE in 2004.
Appointed OBE
Appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2004 for his charity work, particularly campaigning for disadvantaged children.
Father's war diary discovery
Whilst preparing for his mother's funeral he discovered his father's wartime diary and recounted it in interviews.
Father Basil Tarrant died
Tarrant's father, Major Basil Tarrant, died in 2005; this was a significant personal milestone.
Ranked #38 in ITV's 'TV's 50 Greatest Stars' and British Comedy Award
Ranked no.38 in ITV poll (2006) and received a British Comedy Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.
Left patronage of Headway Thames Valley
In 2006 left Headway Thames Valley, citing 'work commitments'.
Announced separation from Ingrid Dupre-Walsh
After tabloid stories, Tarrant and his wife Ingrid announced separation on 18 September 2006.
Arrested over alleged assault (May) and cautioned
On 13 May 2007 arrested on suspicion of assault at a restaurant; formally cautioned by Nottinghamshire Constabulary on 25 May 2007.
Divorced Ingrid Dupre-Walsh
Divorce finalized in 2007 (married 1991, separated 2006).
Returned to radio with GMG weekly show
In June/July 2008 announced to host a weekly Saturday morning show for GMG Radio (started 26 July 2008) and aired until July 2009.
Published 'Millionaire Moments'
Released the book 'Millionaire Moments: The Story of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' in 2008.
Long-term partner Jane Bird (relationship began)
Since 2008 Tarrant has been in a long-term relationship with legal assistant Jane Bird.
Arrested (March) and released without charge
On 5 March 2009 Tarrant was arrested on suspicion of assault at his home in Esher and later released without charge.
Tarrant Lets the Kids Loose aired
UKTV's eight-part series 'Tarrant Lets the Kids Loose' began airing on 4 October 2009.
Appeared on A Comedy Roast
In April 2010 became one of the first three celebrities on Channel 4's A Comedy Roast (UK version).
Honoured on Birmingham's Walk of Stars and honorary citizen
Awarded a place on Birmingham's Walk of Stars and made an honorary citizen of Birmingham (August 2010), and later received a star on Broad Street (2010).
Launched 'Fishing with Chris Tarrant' iOS app
Launched the iOS application 'Fishing with Chris Tarrant' in association with Angling Times (Aug 2010).
Mother died
Tarrant's mother died in 2012; while preparing for her funeral he found his father's wartime diary.
Filmed 'Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railways'
Filmed the travel documentary series for Channel 5 (locations included Congo-Ocean Railway, The Ghan, Konkan Railway); series aired December 2012.
Chris Tarrant Goes Fishing (Channel 5)
Channel 5 aired 'Chris Tarrant Goes Fishing' in 2013.
Announced leaving 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'
On 22 October 2013 announced he would be leaving the show after 15 years; ITV cancelled further specials after his contract finished.
Final clip show 'Chris' Final Answer' aired
A clip show marking the end of the original Millionaire series aired on 11 February 2014.
Suffered mini-stroke on flight
Suffered a mini-stroke on board a return flight from Bangkok to London on 1 March 2014; rushed to hospital on landing and underwent emergency surgery to remove a blood clot from his right leg.
Second series of 'Extreme Railways' aired
A second series of Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railways was shown in 2015.
Presented 'The Railways That Built Britain'
Hosted the Channel 5 series 'The Railways That Built Britain with Chris Tarrant' (2017).
Drink-driving charge and sentence
Charged with drink-driving (appeared in court 18 Dec 2017); on 18 Jan 2018 fined £6,000 and given a 12-month driving ban.
Narrated 'Intercity 125: The Train That Changed Britain'
Provided narration for the two-episode documentary 'Intercity 125: The Train That Changed Britain' (2018).
Appeared in 'World's Busiest Train Stations'
Participated in the four-episode series 'World's Busiest Train Stations' (2019).
TV mini-series 'Quiz' released (portrayed by Michael Sheen)
The dramatized mini-series 'Quiz' (about the Ingram Millionaire scandal) was released; Tarrant was portrayed by actor Michael Sheen.
Published 'It's Not A Proper Job' (book release)
On 25 April 2022 released the book 'It's Not A Proper Job: Stories from 50 Years in TV' (some sources list 2023; primary reporting indicates 2022 release).
Published 'It's Not A Proper Job' (bibliography lists 2023)
Bibliography entry shows 'It's Not A Proper Job: Stories From 50 Years in Television' with a 2023 listing; source material contains a 2022 release date — discrepancy noted.
Announced retirement from television
In December 2024 Tarrant announced his retirement after 50 years in television, stating the COVID-19 pandemic caused him to reconsider priorities.
Listed bibliography entry 'For The Love Of Bears' (2025)
Bibliography lists a 2025 title 'For The Love Of Bears' (source includes this entry).
Key Achievement Ages
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