Garry Richardson

Garry Richardson is a broadcaster and leading after-dinner speaker.

He presented Radio 4’s prestigious ‘Today‘ programme for four decades.

Garry is best known for his witty sports reports and interviews on Radio 4’s prestigious ‘Today‘ programme.

He was featured on the programme for over 40 years and was the team’s longest-serving member.

In 2019, Garry toured with “Wireless Wise”, teaming up with Alistair McGowan and Reverend Richard Coles. A Celebration of Radio 4 was packed with hilarious anecdotes, sketches and music spanning 50 years.

He has presented ‘Sportsweek‘ on Radio 5 Live and his BBC comedy show – ‘Look Away Now‘.

Over the past four decades, he has regularly contributed to BBC TV, covering seven Olympic Games.

Furthermore, Garry has presented Friday Night is Music Night on Radio 2 and even sang on the programme while accompanied by the 65-piece BBC Concert Orchestra.

In 2007, Garry was awarded radio’s equivalent of an Oscar – a ‘Sony Gold Award‘ for his ‘Sportsweek’ programme.

He also has won the  ‘Best Sports Magazine Programme‘ from the National Union of Journalists.

“A truly accomplished speaker, it was a performance myself and others have rarely seen bettered.”
Paul Watkins – Tesco

Garry Richardson – Radio 4 After-Dinner Speaker:

Garry’s speech is an entertaining mixture of stories and anecdotes from his life in broadcasting. These include a selection of his most notable interviews, including when he interviewed President Clinton in Wimbledon’s Royal Box in front of 18,000 tennis fans sitting under umbrellas and 10 million viewers on BBC 1!

He is renowned for his sharp wit and humorous comments on the ‘Today Programme’, and his long career at the BBC has given him a fund of stories that have made him one of the country’s funniest speakers.

His hilarious stories include what happened behind the scenes when he interviewed President Bill Clinton and why Nelson Mandela gave him a friendly punch. There are hilarious anecdotes about working with Hollywood stars Richard Burton and Ben Stiller. What happened with Prime Ministers David Cameron and Gordon Brown in the studio?

Furthermore, Garry has interviewed sports stars like David Beckham, Serena Williams, and Alex Ferguson; his list of interviewees is endless.

As a result, Garry Richardson has performed on the after-dinner circuit for an extensive mixture of clients. He believes that his popularity as a speaker is down to his material.

“All audiences will contain sports fans, and even if you are not a sports fan, my stories are so general it doesn’t matter.”

Garry is in great demand as an after-dinner speaker at corporate dinners up and down the U.K. Garry has spoken to a range of clients from just about every profession. They include HSBC, Barclays, Coutts, Bank of Ireland, KPMG, Deloitte, Porsche, Mercedes, British Airways, American Airlines, Qantas, Tesco, British Health Care, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Civil Engineers Contractors Association, British Health Care, National Farmers Union.

Garry will sometimes speak to just a handful of guests, while audiences are much more prominent on other occasions. For example, he appeared on consecutive nights at the Grosvenor House Great Room, entertaining 1200 guests at each dinner.

At the Chemical Industries Dinner, he received a standing ovation. Chief Executive Steve Elliott commented. “I have had many favourable comments from a Tory Front Bencher, saying it was the most original and entertaining speech he had ever heard.”

The following night at the Grosvenor, Garry addressed the Oil Industries Cub. The club secretary wrote afterwards, “One of the best and funniest speakers we have ever had. The applause at the end showed appreciation. I hope you leave a few spaces in your diary for a return visit”.

Garry has performed on the after-dinner circuit for almost 40 years and is regarded as one of its funniest speakers.

Garry is also available for awards hosting and conference facilitating.