Desmond Humphrys
Born 1943 · Age 82
Welsh broadcaster, journalist and author; long-time BBC presenter of Nine O'Clock News (1981–1987) and Radio 4's Today (1987–2019); host of Mastermind (2003–2021).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Adamsdown / Splott, Cardiff
Desmond John Humphrys born to Winifred Mary (Matthews) and Edward George Humphrys at 193 Pearl Street, Adamsdown, Cardiff.
Passed the 11-plus exam
Passed the eleven plus and became a pupil at Cardiff High School (grammar school at the time).
Began journalism career at Penarth Times
Started as a teenage reporter on the weekly Penarth Times covering local news in the seaside town of Penarth.
Left school at age 15
Left Cardiff High School at 15 and chose not to go to university.
Joined the Western Mail
Moved to the larger regional newspaper Western Mail in Cardiff (date approximate: early 1960s after Penarth Times).
Worked for Television Wales and the West (TWW)
Joined commercial television channel TWW as a reporter (precursor to joining the BBC); was reporting for TWW at the time of Aberfan.
Joined the BBC as Liverpool district reporter
Joined the BBC later in 1966 as district reporter for Liverpool and the north-west, covering dock strikes and reporting sometimes for national news.
First reporter on scene at Aberfan disaster
As a TWW reporter he was the first on the scene of the Aberfan colliery spoil tip disaster which killed 144 people.
Appointed Northern Industrial Correspondent
About a year after joining the BBC he became Northern Industrial Correspondent.
Reported on Northern Ireland 'troubles'
Covered the unrest in Northern Ireland in the late 1960s while working for the BBC.
Became BBC's first full-time TV correspondent in the USA
Posted to the United States as the BBC's first full-time television correspondent; began a six-year US posting.
Reported on the India–Pakistan war
One of his early foreign assignments included reporting on the India–Pakistan war (1971).
Reported Richard Nixon's resignation
Reported Nixon's resignation from the United States by satellite for BBC television during the Watergate aftermath.
Reported Gary Gilmore's execution
Reported the execution of Gary Gilmore (January 1977) while during his US posting.
Relocated to South Africa as correspondent
Moved from the US posting to be based in South Africa, opening/working in the bureau there.
Returned to London as BBC Diplomatic Correspondent
Grew disillusioned with life as a foreign correspondent and returned to London to take the role of Diplomatic Correspondent.
Became main presenter of BBC Nine O'Clock News
Appointed main presenter of the BBC's flagship television news bulletin, representing a change in how presenters prepared broadcasts.
Accepted offer to join Today programme
Unexpected telephone offer to present Today; accepted the offer (decision late 1986) ahead of starting in January 1987.
Started presenting Radio 4's Today programme
Began co-presenting Today in January 1987, joining Brian Redhead and becoming a leading national radio interviewer.
Volunteer presenter on Radio 4 News FM during Gulf War
Presented on BBC Radio 4's short-lived News FM service during the 1991 Gulf War.
Began presenting On The Record (TV)
Started presenting the weekly political TV programme On The Record; continued until the show's end in 2002.
Death of first wife Edna Wilding
Edna Wilding, whom he married in 1964 and later divorced, died of cancer in Glamorgan in September 1997.
Subject of This Is Your Life
Surprised by Michael Aspel and featured on This Is Your Life in January 2001 (recorded/surprised while presenting On The Record).
Named Journalist of the Year
Awarded Journalist of the Year in February 2000 at an awards ceremony organised by The House and Channel 4.
Appeared on Da Ali G Show
Appeared in Series 1 Episode 5 of Da Ali G Show (air date 28 April 2000).
Birth of son Owen James
At 56, had a son Owen James with partner Valerie Sanderson.
Received Gold Sony Radio Award
Won the Gold Sony Radio Award (the radio industry's top prize) in 2003.
Became host of Mastermind
Took over as host of the revived BBC Two quiz show Mastermind (and Celebrity Mastermind), beginning a run that lasted until 2021.
Delivered MacTaggart Lecture
Gave the annual MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV festival, criticising the 'dumbing down' of television; widely reported.
Censured by BBC for speech language
On 6 September 2005 the BBC censured him for using 'inappropriate and misguided' language in a speech leaked to the press.
Founded Kitchen Table Charities Trust (KTCT)
Established KTCT to collect donations and distribute small grants to projects mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Presented 'Humphrys in Search of God' on Radio 4
Presented a BBC Radio 4 programme exploring faith and agnosticism, speaking with leading authorities on Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
Revealed reverse vasectomy on-air
Revealed on Humphrys in Search of God that he had undergone a reverse vasectomy and discussed personal matters publicly.
Guest on Desert Island Discs
Featured on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs; favourite record was Elgar's Cello Concerto.
Death of brother Bob Humphrys
Brother Bob Humphrys, a sports presenter on BBC Wales Today, died of lung cancer aged 56.
Co-authored and published books (2009)
Published Blue Skies & Black Olives (with Christopher Humphrys) and The Welcome Visitor: Living Well, Dying Well (with Sarah Jarvis).
Began relationship with Catherine Bennett
Started a relationship with journalist Catherine Bennett (reported in 2009).
Temporarily hosted Question Time
On 12 November 2009 he replaced David Dimbleby temporarily as host of BBC's Question Time while Dimbleby recovered from an injury.
Extended Today contract with pay cut
Announced an extension of his contract to present Today on 3 January 2011, agreeing to a salary reduction.
Interviewed BBC Director-General George Entwistle
His interview on Today with George Entwistle (11 Nov 2012) was widely reported as a major factor in Entwistle's resignation that day amid the Newsnight/Savile scandal.
Acted as himself in film Closed Circuit
Played himself in the crime thriller Closed Circuit starring Eric Bana (film release 2013).
Attended Glastonbury festival (first time)
Reportedly attended his first Glastonbury Festival in 2013 and was featured in BBC coverage.
Appeared in The Life of Rock with Brian Pern
Appeared as himself in the TV mockumentary series The Life of Rock with Brian Pern (2014).
Announced he would leave Today
In February 2019 he announced his intention to leave Radio 4's Today programme, saying he should have quit years earlier.
Published memoir A Day Like Today
Released his memoir A Day Like Today in September 2019 discussing his career and BBC internal politics.
Final Today programme
Hosted his final Today programme on 19 September 2019; guests included Tony Blair, Dame Edna Everage and David Cameron.
Joined the Daily Mail as weekly columnist
After leaving the BBC he began writing a weekly column for the Daily Mail (reported January 2020).
Joined Classic FM as Sunday presenter
After leaving the BBC he began presenting a regular Sunday afternoon show on Classic FM and occasionally filled in on the weekday breakfast show (reported early 2021).
Announced departure from Mastermind
Announced in his Daily Mail column on 6 February 2021 that he would step down as host of Mastermind after 18 years.
Final episode of Mastermind aired
His 735th and final episode of Mastermind aired on 26 April 2021.
Clive Myrie replaced him on Mastermind
Clive Myrie made his debut as Mastermind host on 23 August 2021, succeeding John Humphrys.
Public reputation and continuing public work
Continues to present radio shows and write; known for outspoken, challenging interviewing style and involvement in charity KTCT.
Key Achievement Ages
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