John Humphrys

John Humphrys: Biography in Details

Who is John Humphrys?

Humphrys is a Welsh broadcaster. He was the main presenter for the Nine O’Clock News, the flagship BBC news television program, and from 1987 until 2019 he presented on the BBC Radio 4 breakfast program Today.

John’s final Today broadcast was on Thursday 19 September 2019. He has been the host of the BBC Two television quiz show Mastermind since 2003.

John Humphrys: Controversy

After being interviewed on Today in March 1995, a former Conservative Cabinet Minister, Treasury Chief Secretary Jonathan Aitken accused him of “poisoning the well of democratic debate although his fellow Cabinet ministers, Kenneth Clarke and Douglas Hurd, did not support Aiken when interviewed by Humphrys.

Conservative Party Co-chair Lady Warsi accused him of downplaying sexual violence against William Hague remark on the Today program in July 2017 before the Wimbledon women’s semi-finals, he got accused of sexism and xenophobia when he questioned Johanna Konta’s national identity.

The same year in October, an interview with the Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders discussed a report revealed by the Crown Prosecution Service. The report said that they prosecuted a record number of people in England and Wales for sexual offenses.

An offer discussion captured in January 2018 between media peers and ancient associates him and Jon Sopel, in which they seemed to ignore the gender pay gap posted by Carrie Gracie.

Who are the parents of John Humphrys?

Born as Desmond John Humphrys on 17 August 1943 in Cardiff at 193 Pearl Street, Adamsdown is 79 years old. His mother Winifred Mary (Matthews) was a hairdresser. His father Edward George Humphrys, was a self-employed French polisher. John was one of five children.

During his early age he had a bout of whooping cough and was concerned that he would be known as ‘Dismal Desmond’ his mother opted to use the name, John. He had a brother, Bob Humphrys, who was a sports television presenter on BBC Wales Today.

However, Bob died of lung cancer in Cardiff on 19 August 2008, aged 56. He has a white hair color with brown eyes. He holds British nationality.

He became a student at Cardiff High School. However, he did not fit into the middle-class environment there. John was an average student and left school at 15 to become a reporter for the Penarth Times. He holds an honorary degree from Abertay University.

John Humphrys: Professional Life Career

Humphrys started TWW, a commercial television channel based in Wales, and was the first reporter on the scene of the Aberfan disaster in October 1966. Humphrys joined the BBC later that year as the district reporter for Liverpool and the Northwest.

He reported on the dock strikes of that time, sometimes for the national news. John then started working as a foreign correspondent. He became the main presenter of the BBC’s flagship Nine O’Clock News in 1981.

Which appointment marked a change in the BBC’s approach to news broadcasting. Humphrys started presenting Today in January 1987, joining Brian Redhead. John still made occasional appearances fronting BBC TV news bulletins in the 1990s.

He has a reputation as a tenacious and forthright interviewer occasionally politicians have been very critical of his style after being subjected to a tough interview on live radio. Lately, John has also attracted controversy for a series of alleged sexist remarks and attitudes throughout his broadcasting career.

Achievement, Awards

John has achieved many industry awards, including being named Journalist of the Year in February 2000 at an awards ceremony organized by The House Magazine and Channel 4. Also, The Gold Sony Radio Award in 2003 and a silver platter for Crystal Clear Broadcasting from the Plain English Campaign.

How much is John Humphrys’s net worth in 2024?

John has an estimated net worth of $ 1million. Also, he earns a salary of $ 1 million per year. His source of income is from doing live radio broadcasts.

Books

Humphrys has written different books, which include Lost for Words, in which he criticizes what he sees as the widespread misuse of the English language, plus Devil’s Advocate, Beyond Words, The Great Food Gamble, and In God We Doubt: Confessions of a Failed Atheist.

Social Work

John founded the Kitchen Table Charities Trust in 2005, a charity that funds projects to help some of the poorest people. This not only helps the most vulnerable people, but in the longer term, It also helps the country to stand on its own feet.

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John Humphrys's Birthday Dates