Clive Anderson: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|English | {{Short description|English presenter (born 1952)}} | ||
{{Use British English|date=December 2012}} | {{Use British English|date=December 2012}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} | ||
{{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
| name = Clive Anderson | | name = Clive Anderson | ||
| image = Clive Anderson | | image = Clive Anderson.png | ||
| caption = Anderson in | | caption = Anderson in 2023 | ||
| birth_name = Clive Stuart Anderson | | birth_name = Clive Stuart Anderson | ||
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|12|10|df=y}} | | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|12|10|df=y}} | ||
| birth_place = [[Stanmore | | birth_place = [[Stanmore]], [[London]], England | ||
| known_for = Hosting ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (British TV series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]'', ''Clive Anderson Talks Back'' and ''Clive Anderson All Talk'' | | known_for = Hosting ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (British TV series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]'', ''Clive Anderson Talks Back'' and ''Clive Anderson All Talk'' | ||
| education = [[Selwyn College, Cambridge]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]]) | | education = [[Selwyn College, Cambridge]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]]) | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
| years_active = 1979–present | | years_active = 1979–present | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Clive Stuart Anderson''' (born 10 December 1952)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.comedygigs.co.uk/london/clive-anderson-a1543 |title=Clive Anderson {{!}} Band {{!}} Gig Listings – Artist Listed on Comedy Gigs |last=comedygigs.co.uk |website=www.comedygigs.co.uk|language=en |access-date=2018-08-27}}</ref> is an English | '''Clive Stuart Anderson''' (born 10 December 1952)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.comedygigs.co.uk/london/clive-anderson-a1543 |title=Clive Anderson {{!}} Band {{!}} Gig Listings – Artist Listed on Comedy Gigs |last=comedygigs.co.uk |website=www.comedygigs.co.uk|language=en |access-date=2018-08-27}}</ref> is an English comedian, presenter, writer and former [[barrister]]. Winner of a British Comedy Award in 1991,<ref>Clive Anderson [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0026536/awards awards] at [[IMDb]] Retrieved 27 August 2007{{unreliable source|date=May 2023}}</ref> Anderson began experimenting with comedy and writing comedic scripts during his 15-year legal career. He then became host of ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (British TV series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]'', initially a radio show on [[BBC Radio 4]] in 1988, before moving to television on [[Channel 4]] from 1988 to 1999. He was also host of his own chat show ''Clive Anderson Talks Back'', which changed its name to ''Clive Anderson All Talk'' in 1996, from 1989 to 1999. He has also hosted many radio programmes and made guest appearances on ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'', ''[[Mock the Week]]'' and ''[[QI]]''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20051102035124/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/presenters/clive_anderson.shtml Clive Anderson] at [[BBC Radio 4]] Retrieved 27 August 2007</ref> | ||
== Early life == | == Early life == | ||
Anderson's mother was English and his parents met while serving in the RAF.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Clive Anderson: I identify with Scottishness but I don't think audiences see me as Scottish |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/arts_ents/17686137.clive-anderson-identify-scottishness-dont-think-audiences-see-scottish/|access-date=2022-11-05|website=HeraldScotland|date=8 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref> He was educated at Stanburn Primary School and [[Harrow High School|Harrow County School for Boys]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jeffreymaynard.com/Harrow_County/Gaytonians.htm|title=Some Gaytonians|access-date=29 July 2007|last=Maynard|first=Jeff |publisher=Virtual Gaytonian}}</ref> then a grammar school which closed in 1975.<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{Citation|title=Harrow County Grammar School |date=2022-04-10|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harrow_County_Grammar_School&oldid=1081899241|work=Wikipedia|language=en|access-date=2022-11-05}}</ref> His group of contemporaries included [[Geoffrey Perkins]] and [[Michael Portillo]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Helen |date=2024-04-01 |title=Clive Anderson: 'I studied with Blair. I thought he'd be a parish councillor' |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/comedy/clive-anderson-studied-blair-parish-councillor-2981622 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> | Anderson's father was [[Scottish people|Scottish]], his mother was English, and his parents met while serving in the [[RAF]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Clive Anderson: I identify with Scottishness but I don't think audiences see me as Scottish |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/arts_ents/17686137.clive-anderson-identify-scottishness-dont-think-audiences-see-scottish/|access-date=2022-11-05|website=HeraldScotland|date=8 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref> He was educated at [[List of schools in the London Borough of Harrow|Stanburn Primary School]] and [[Harrow High School|Harrow County School for Boys]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jeffreymaynard.com/Harrow_County/Gaytonians.htm|title=Some Gaytonians|access-date=29 July 2007|last=Maynard|first=Jeff |publisher=Virtual Gaytonian}}</ref> then a grammar school which closed in 1975.<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{Citation|title=Harrow County Grammar School |date=2022-04-10|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harrow_County_Grammar_School&oldid=1081899241|work=Wikipedia|language=en|access-date=2022-11-05}}</ref> His group of contemporaries included [[Geoffrey Perkins]] and [[Michael Portillo]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Helen |date=2024-04-01 |title=Clive Anderson: 'I studied with Blair. I thought he'd be a parish councillor' |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/comedy/clive-anderson-studied-blair-parish-councillor-2981622 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> In 1938, his [[Scottish people|Scottish]] father originally from Glasgow, was a bank clerk who moved to [[Highbury]] and who was promoted to manager<ref name=":0"/> of the [[Bradford & Bingley]] Building Society, Wembley branch.<ref>''What Became of the Bank Manager?'', BBC Radio 4, 22 November 2009</ref> Anderson attended [[Selwyn College, Cambridge]], where, from 1974 to 1975, he was President of the Cambridge [[Footlights]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.footlights.org/alumni?limitstart=0|title=Footlights: Alumni|access-date=13 May 2014 |publisher=Cambridge Footlights|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514023501/http://www.footlights.org/alumni?limitstart=0|archive-date=14 May 2014}}</ref> He was [[Admission to practice law|called to the bar]] at the [[Middle Temple]] in 1976 and became a practising [[barrister]], specialising in [[criminal law]]. While still practising law, he continued performing, including taking a show to the [[Edinburgh Fringe]] in 1981 with [[Griff Rhys Jones]].<ref name=WOS170811> | ||
{{cite web|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/edinburgh-theatre/news/clive-anderson-whose-line-is-it-anyway-festival-fringe_44276.html|publisher=What's On Stage|title=Clive Anderson: how much has actually changed in my 40 years at the Fringe? |last=Anderson|first=Clive|author-link=Clive Anderson|date=11 August 2017 |access-date=13 October 2017}} | {{cite web|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/edinburgh-theatre/news/clive-anderson-whose-line-is-it-anyway-festival-fringe_44276.html|publisher=What's On Stage|title=Clive Anderson: how much has actually changed in my 40 years at the Fringe? |last=Anderson|first=Clive|author-link=Clive Anderson|date=11 August 2017 |access-date=13 October 2017}} | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
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===Television=== | ===Television=== | ||
Anderson was involved in the fledgling [[alternative comedy]] scene in the early 1980s and was the first act to appear at [[The Comedy Store (London)|The Comedy Store]] when it opened in 1979.<ref name=Radio2>{{cite web|url= | Anderson was involved in the fledgling [[alternative comedy]] scene in the early 1980s and was the first act to appear at [[The Comedy Store (London)|The Comedy Store]] when it opened in 1979.<ref name=Radio2>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00z66p7|title=Clive Anderson's Chat Room |access-date=29 July 2007|publisher=BBC Radio 2}}</ref> He made his name as host of the original UK version of the improvised television comedy show ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (British TV series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]'', which ran for 10 series on [[Channel 4]] from 1988 to 1999.<ref name=TVbio>{{cite web |url=http://uktv.co.uk/g2/item/aid/528014|title=UKTV G2 Stars: Profile: Clive Anderson|access-date=29 July 2007|publisher=UKTV Interactive Limited}}</ref> | ||
Anderson hosted his own chat show ''Clive Anderson Talks Back'', which ran for 10 series on Channel 4 from 1989 to 1996. The show then moved to the [[BBC]], with the name changed to ''Clive Anderson All Talk'', running for 4 series from 1996 to 1999. In one incident in 1997, Anderson was deserted by his guests, the [[Bee Gees]], after he made several digs at them and their music.<ref>{{Cite web|url= | Anderson hosted his own chat show ''Clive Anderson Talks Back'', which ran for 10 series on Channel 4 from 1989 to 1996. The show then moved to the [[BBC]], with the name changed to ''Clive Anderson All Talk'', running for 4 series from 1996 to 1999. In one incident in 1997, Anderson was deserted by his guests, the [[Bee Gees]], after he made several digs at them and their music.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-36957253|title=Five stars that walked out of their interviews and never came back – BBC Newsbeat|date=8 February 2016|website=BBC Newsbeat|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-08-17}}</ref> He once had a glass of water poured over his head by a perturbed [[Richard Branson]], to which he replied, "I'm used to that; I've flown [[Virgin Atlantic|Virgin]]."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dave.uktv.co.uk/have-i-got-news-for-you/article/clive-anderson-profile/|title=Clive Anderson Profile {{!}} Have I Got News for You {{!}} Dave Channel|website=dave.uktv.co.uk|access-date=2018-08-17}}</ref> When singer and actress [[Cher]] appeared on the show, Anderson alluded to her alleged cosmetic surgery, asking her "You look like a million dollars – is that how much it cost?"<ref>[https://www.publiclawtoday.co.uk/careers/626-careers-news/19803-clive-anderson-to-host-inaugural-lawyers-in-local-government-awards Public Law Today] 2 September 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2021.</ref> He also said to author and politician [[Jeffrey Archer]], in response to his derogatory comment about the show, "You're a critic too... there's no beginning to your talents." Archer retorted that "The old ones are always the best" for Anderson to reply "Yes, I've read your books."<ref>{{cite news|last=Cavendish|first=Dominic|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/comedy/comedy-news/10983616/Clive-Anderson-For-most-people-I-have-ceased-to-exist.html|title=Clive Anderson: 'For most people, I have ceased to exist!'|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=<!-- Tuesday -->5 August 2014|access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> | ||
[[File:Clive Anderson at Selwyn May Ball -21June2008.JPG|thumb|Anderson at Selwyn May Ball 2008]] | |||
He has made ten appearances on ''[[Have I Got News for You]]''. In 1996, a heated exchange occurred on the show when he joked to fellow guest [[Piers Morgan]] that the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' was now, thanks to Morgan (then its editor), almost as good as ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]''. When asked by Morgan, "What do you know about editing newspapers?" he swiftly replied "About as much as you do" | He has made ten appearances on ''[[Have I Got News for You]]''. In 1996, a heated exchange occurred on the show when he joked to fellow guest [[Piers Morgan]] that the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' was now, thanks to Morgan (then its editor), almost as good as ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]''. When asked by Morgan, "What do you know about editing newspapers?" he swiftly replied "About as much as you do." Anderson has also frequently appeared on ''[[QI]]''. In 2007, he featured as a regular panellist on the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] comedy show ''[[News Knight]]''. From 2019 to 2020 he co-hosted the television series ''Mystic Britain'' on the Sky television channel Smithsonian. | ||
In 2005, he presented the short-lived quiz ''[[Back in the Day (game show)|Back in the Day]]'' for [[Channel 4]]. On 25 February 2008, he started to present ''[[Brainbox Challenge]]'', a new game show, for [[BBC Two]]. Later that year, he presented a talent show-themed reality TV series produced by the BBC entitled ''[[Maestro (British TV series)|Maestro]]'', starring eight celebrities. In 2009, Anderson was the television host of the BBC's ''Last Night of [[the Proms]]''. | In 2005, he presented the short-lived quiz ''[[Back in the Day (game show)|Back in the Day]]'' for [[Channel 4]]. On 25 February 2008, he started to present ''[[Brainbox Challenge]]'', a new game show, for [[BBC Two]]. Later that year, he presented a talent show-themed reality TV series produced by the BBC entitled ''[[Maestro (British TV series)|Maestro]]'', starring eight celebrities. In 2009, Anderson was the television host of the BBC's ''Last Night of [[the Proms]]''. | ||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
===Radio=== | ===Radio=== | ||
Anderson presents legal show ''Unreliable Evidence'' on [[BBC Radio 4]]. He also covered the Sunday morning 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. show on [[BBC Radio 2]] until the end of January 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url= | Anderson presents legal show ''Unreliable Evidence'' on [[BBC Radio 4]]. He also covered the Sunday morning 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. show on [[BBC Radio 2]] until the end of January 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/unreliableevidence/|title=Unreliable Evidence|access-date=29 July 2007 |publisher=BBC Radio 4}}</ref> | ||
In early 1988, Anderson hosted the original radio version of ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (radio series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]'', which ran for 6 episodes on BBC Radio 4 before the show moved to television later that year. | In early 1988, Anderson hosted the original radio version of ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (radio series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]'', which ran for 6 episodes on BBC Radio 4 before the show moved to television later that year. | ||
| Line 42: | Line 42: | ||
It was announced in April 2008 that Anderson, who had previously filled in for host [[Ned Sherrin]] from 2006 until Sherrin's death in 2007, would be taking over as permanent host of ''[[Loose Ends (radio)|Loose Ends]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Anderson goes full time on Radio 4's Loose Ends|publisher=MediaGuardian |date=7 April 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/apr/07/bbc.radio|location=London|first=Ben | last=Dowell|access-date=30 April 2010}}</ref> He also hosted six series of ''Clive Anderson's Chat Room'' on BBC Radio 2 from 2004 to 2009. Anderson has appeared on BBC Radio 4's ''The Unbelievable Truth'' hosted by [[David Mitchell (comedian)|David Mitchell]]. | It was announced in April 2008 that Anderson, who had previously filled in for host [[Ned Sherrin]] from 2006 until Sherrin's death in 2007, would be taking over as permanent host of ''[[Loose Ends (radio)|Loose Ends]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Anderson goes full time on Radio 4's Loose Ends|publisher=MediaGuardian |date=7 April 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/apr/07/bbc.radio|location=London|first=Ben | last=Dowell|access-date=30 April 2010}}</ref> He also hosted six series of ''Clive Anderson's Chat Room'' on BBC Radio 2 from 2004 to 2009. Anderson has appeared on BBC Radio 4's ''The Unbelievable Truth'' hosted by [[David Mitchell (comedian)|David Mitchell]]. | ||
Anderson also presented the radio show ''The Guessing Game'' on [[BBC Radio Scotland]].<ref>{{cite web|url= | Anderson also presented the radio show ''The Guessing Game'' on [[BBC Radio Scotland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s4fnv|title=BBC Radio Scotland – The Guessing Game|work=BBC}}</ref> Anderson has also appeared on [[BBC Radio 5 Live]]'s ''[[Fighting Talk]]''. | ||
===Comedy and newspaper writing=== | ===Comedy and newspaper writing=== | ||
| Line 48: | Line 48: | ||
==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
Anderson lives in [[Highbury]], north London, with his consultant wife, [[Jane Anderson (physician)|Jane Anderson]], a physician who has spent her career in managing HIV/AIDS.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.bmj.com/content/358/bmj.j3667|title=Jane Anderson: HIV and human rights|journal=BMJ|year=2017|volume=358| | Anderson lives in [[Highbury]], north London, with his consultant wife, [[Jane Anderson (physician)|Jane Anderson]], a physician who has spent her career in managing HIV/AIDS.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.bmj.com/content/358/bmj.j3667|title=Jane Anderson: HIV and human rights|journal=BMJ|year=2017|volume=358|article-number=j3667|doi=10.1136/bmj.j3667|pmid=28768615|s2cid=5268806|access-date=14 December 2021|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The couple have three children.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/clive-anderson/|title=A Wonderful life: Broadcaster Clive Anderson on choosing just seven modern marvels|last=Gallacher|first=Stevie|date=14 June 2022|website=[[Sunday Post]] |access-date=23 January 2024|quote=Clive lives with wife Jane, who he married in 1981, and has three children.}}</ref> | ||
He supports [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]],<ref>{{cite web | He supports [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]],<ref>{{cite web | ||
| Line 55: | Line 55: | ||
|access-date=29 July 2007|publisher=Arsenal Broadband Limited | |access-date=29 July 2007|publisher=Arsenal Broadband Limited | ||
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930210422/http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=The+Club&article=363211&Title=Arsenal%27s+A+to+Z | |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930210422/http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=The+Club&article=363211&Title=Arsenal%27s+A+to+Z | ||
|archive-date=30 September 2007 | |archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> and [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]<ref>{{cite news|last=McIver|first=Brian |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/funnyman-clive-anderson-admits-hed-1118416 |title=Funnyman Clive Anderson admits he'd love to buy in to Rangers|newspaper=Daily Record|date=4 April 2012|access-date=9 March 2017}}</ref> football teams. He is President of the [[Woodland Trust]]<ref>{{cite web | ||
|url=http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/news/subindex.asp?aid=699 | |url=http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/news/subindex.asp?aid=699 | ||
|title=New advocate for native woodland: Woodland Trust welcomes Clive Anderson as president | |title=New advocate for native woodland: Woodland Trust welcomes Clive Anderson as president | ||
|access-date=29 July 2007|publisher=The Woodland Trust | |access-date=29 July 2007|publisher=The Woodland Trust | ||
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927190133/http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/news/subindex.asp?aid=699 | |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927190133/http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/news/subindex.asp?aid=699 | ||
|archive-date=27 September 2007 | |archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref> and became Vice Patron of the Solicitors' Benevolent Association, a registered charity.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-10-21|title=Clive wows 'em |url=https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/analysis/clive-wows-em/57662.article|access-date=2022-11-06|website=Law Gazette|language=en}}</ref> | ||
}}</ref> and became Vice Patron of the Solicitors' Benevolent Association, a registered charity.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-10-21|title=Clive wows 'em |url=https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/analysis/clive-wows-em/57662.article|access-date=2022-11-06|website=Law Gazette|language=en}}</ref> | |||
==Awards== | ==Awards== | ||
The show ''Whose Line is it Anyway?'' won a [[BAFTA]] award in 1990.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bafta.org/site/webdav/site/myjahiasite/shared/import/TVandCraftWinners1980-1989_updated_.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808102505/http://www.bafta.org/site/webdav/site/myjahiasite/shared/import/TVandCraftWinners1980-1989_updated_.pdf|archive-date=2007-08-08|url-status=live|title=Television and Television Craft Awards winners and nominees|access-date=29 July 2007|publisher=British Academy of Film and Television Arts|page=36}}</ref> Later, Anderson won both the "Top Entertainment Presenter" and "Top Radio Comedy Personality" at the [[British Comedy Awards]] in 1991.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishcomedyawards.com/pastwinners91.html|title=Past winners: 1991|access-date=29 July 2007|publisher=Michael Hurll Television|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927220018/http://www.britishcomedyawards.com/pastwinners91.html |archive-date=27 September 2007 | The show ''Whose Line is it Anyway?'' won a [[BAFTA]] award in 1990.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bafta.org/site/webdav/site/myjahiasite/shared/import/TVandCraftWinners1980-1989_updated_.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808102505/http://www.bafta.org/site/webdav/site/myjahiasite/shared/import/TVandCraftWinners1980-1989_updated_.pdf|archive-date=2007-08-08|url-status=live|title=Television and Television Craft Awards winners and nominees|access-date=29 July 2007|publisher=British Academy of Film and Television Arts|page=36}}</ref> Later, Anderson won both the "Top Entertainment Presenter" and "Top Radio Comedy Personality" at the [[British Comedy Awards]] in 1991.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishcomedyawards.com/pastwinners91.html|title=Past winners: 1991|access-date=29 July 2007|publisher=Michael Hurll Television|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927220018/http://www.britishcomedyawards.com/pastwinners91.html |archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref> In 2023 he was made an Honorary Fellow of [[Selwyn College, Cambridge]].<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Selwyn1882|number=1709321244363911408|title=The college has installed 3 new fellows and 2 honorary fellows}} {{user generated source|date=February 2024}}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 23:02, 18 September 2025
Template:Short description Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Main otherScript error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Wikidata image Clive Stuart Anderson (born 10 December 1952)[1] is an English comedian, presenter, writer and former barrister. Winner of a British Comedy Award in 1991,[2] Anderson began experimenting with comedy and writing comedic scripts during his 15-year legal career. He then became host of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, initially a radio show on BBC Radio 4 in 1988, before moving to television on Channel 4 from 1988 to 1999. He was also host of his own chat show Clive Anderson Talks Back, which changed its name to Clive Anderson All Talk in 1996, from 1989 to 1999. He has also hosted many radio programmes and made guest appearances on Have I Got News for You, Mock the Week and QI.[3]
Early life
Anderson's father was Scottish, his mother was English, and his parents met while serving in the RAF.[4] He was educated at Stanburn Primary School and Harrow County School for Boys[5] then a grammar school which closed in 1975.[4][6] His group of contemporaries included Geoffrey Perkins and Michael Portillo.[7] In 1938, his Scottish father originally from Glasgow, was a bank clerk who moved to Highbury and who was promoted to manager[4] of the Bradford & Bingley Building Society, Wembley branch.[8] Anderson attended Selwyn College, Cambridge, where, from 1974 to 1975, he was President of the Cambridge Footlights.[9] He was called to the bar at the Middle Temple in 1976 and became a practising barrister, specialising in criminal law. While still practising law, he continued performing, including taking a show to the Edinburgh Fringe in 1981 with Griff Rhys Jones.[10]
Career
Television
Anderson was involved in the fledgling alternative comedy scene in the early 1980s and was the first act to appear at The Comedy Store when it opened in 1979.[11] He made his name as host of the original UK version of the improvised television comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, which ran for 10 series on Channel 4 from 1988 to 1999.[12]
Anderson hosted his own chat show Clive Anderson Talks Back, which ran for 10 series on Channel 4 from 1989 to 1996. The show then moved to the BBC, with the name changed to Clive Anderson All Talk, running for 4 series from 1996 to 1999. In one incident in 1997, Anderson was deserted by his guests, the Bee Gees, after he made several digs at them and their music.[13] He once had a glass of water poured over his head by a perturbed Richard Branson, to which he replied, "I'm used to that; I've flown Virgin."[14] When singer and actress Cher appeared on the show, Anderson alluded to her alleged cosmetic surgery, asking her "You look like a million dollars – is that how much it cost?"[15] He also said to author and politician Jeffrey Archer, in response to his derogatory comment about the show, "You're a critic too... there's no beginning to your talents." Archer retorted that "The old ones are always the best" for Anderson to reply "Yes, I've read your books."[16]
He has made ten appearances on Have I Got News for You. In 1996, a heated exchange occurred on the show when he joked to fellow guest Piers Morgan that the Daily Mirror was now, thanks to Morgan (then its editor), almost as good as The Sun. When asked by Morgan, "What do you know about editing newspapers?" he swiftly replied "About as much as you do." Anderson has also frequently appeared on QI. In 2007, he featured as a regular panellist on the ITV comedy show News Knight. From 2019 to 2020 he co-hosted the television series Mystic Britain on the Sky television channel Smithsonian.
In 2005, he presented the short-lived quiz Back in the Day for Channel 4. On 25 February 2008, he started to present Brainbox Challenge, a new game show, for BBC Two. Later that year, he presented a talent show-themed reality TV series produced by the BBC entitled Maestro, starring eight celebrities. In 2009, Anderson was the television host of the BBC's Last Night of the Proms.
In November 2023, Anderson appeared on TV game show Richard Osman's House of Games, winning the show by one point.
Radio
Anderson presents legal show Unreliable Evidence on BBC Radio 4. He also covered the Sunday morning 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. show on BBC Radio 2 until the end of January 2008.[17]
In early 1988, Anderson hosted the original radio version of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, which ran for 6 episodes on BBC Radio 4 before the show moved to television later that year.
It was announced in April 2008 that Anderson, who had previously filled in for host Ned Sherrin from 2006 until Sherrin's death in 2007, would be taking over as permanent host of Loose Ends.[18] He also hosted six series of Clive Anderson's Chat Room on BBC Radio 2 from 2004 to 2009. Anderson has appeared on BBC Radio 4's The Unbelievable Truth hosted by David Mitchell.
Anderson also presented the radio show The Guessing Game on BBC Radio Scotland.[19] Anderson has also appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live's Fighting Talk.
Comedy and newspaper writing
Anderson is a comedy sketch writer who has written for Frankie Howerd, Not the Nine O'Clock News, and Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith.[11] One of his early comedy writing projects was Black Cinderella Two Goes East with Rory McGrath for BBC Radio 4 in 1978. As well as writing comedy, Anderson is also a frequent contributor to newspapers and was a regular columnist for The Sunday Correspondent.[12]
Personal life
Anderson lives in Highbury, north London, with his consultant wife, Jane Anderson, a physician who has spent her career in managing HIV/AIDS.[20] The couple have three children.[21]
He supports Arsenal,[22] and Rangers[23] football teams. He is President of the Woodland Trust[24] and became Vice Patron of the Solicitors' Benevolent Association, a registered charity.[25]
Awards
The show Whose Line is it Anyway? won a BAFTA award in 1990.[26] Later, Anderson won both the "Top Entertainment Presenter" and "Top Radio Comedy Personality" at the British Comedy Awards in 1991.[27] In 2023 he was made an Honorary Fellow of Selwyn College, Cambridge.[28]
References
External links
- Template:Trim/ Clive Anderson at IMDbTemplate:EditAtWikidataScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Template:Trim Template:Replace on YouTubeScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Representation at Curtis Brown Talent Agency
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- ↑ Clive Anderson awards at IMDb Retrieved 27 August 2007Template:Unreliable source
- ↑ Clive Anderson at BBC Radio 4 Retrieved 27 August 2007
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- ↑ What Became of the Bank Manager?, BBC Radio 4, 22 November 2009
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- ↑ Public Law Today 2 September 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
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Categories:
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