Clive Anderson

Clive Anderson is a barrister by training, but he is best known as an award-winning and versatile presenter, performer and writer.

As the host of Radio 4’s Loose Ends and a seasoned chat show host, Clive Anderson crosses the mediums of radio, television and live events with ease and panache.

Clive acquired his taste for comedy when he studied at Selwyn College, Cambridge becoming President of the Cambridge Footlights.

He performed as a stand-up comedian and in revue groups until he moved on to radio in 1986 and hosted several series of The Cabaret Upstairs, an alternative comedy show on BBC Radio 4.

In 1988, Clive was the natural choice to be chairman of a new Radio 4 comedy show, Whose Line Is It Anyway?

The show’s success saw it transfer to television with the same cast, where it ran on Channel 4 for ten years.

Anderson hosted his own chat show ‘Clive Anderson Talks Back‘ on Channel 4. He later moved to the BBC with ‘Clive Anderson All Talk‘.

He was awarded the television industry’s ‘Comedy Presenter of the Year Award‘ in 1991, and in 1992 won the award for ‘Top Channel 4 Presenter‘ given by the British Comedy Awards.

Clive has stood in for other broadcasting legends such as Michael Parkinson and the late Sir Terry Wogan. He has appeared as a guest or presented episodes (or whole series) of many classic shows including:

• The News Quiz
• Have I Got News For You
• Don’t Quote Me
• Question Time
• Points of View
• Mastermind
• Loose Ends
• Maestro!
• The Big Read

He has also hosted many Radio 4 shows that explore real-life cases and legal controversies, illustrating the impact that the law can have in difficult situations; these include:

• Unreliable Evidence
• The Devil’s Advocate
• Hypotheticals

Clive has written and/or presented several television documentaries and his journalism has appeared in The Times, The Observer, The Listener and The Independent on Sunday.

Clive Anderson is an unflappable live host, having fronted many events including the BAFTAs, the Craft Awards, the London Evening Standard Film Awards, the Olivier Awards and a live two hour special debate during Channel 4’s general election coverage in 2010.

He continues to be much in demand as an after-dinner speaker and awards host.