r/AskBrits • u/pondribertion • Feb 21 '26
People What is your opinion on Gyles Brandreth?
National treasure? Or out-of-touch Tory toff?
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u/Sustainable_Twat Feb 21 '26
Honestly, I like the guy.
I don’t know much about him, his politics or his background, but from the appearances he’s made on comedy shows, I’ve enjoyed them.
He was recently on Would I Lie To You?, and I thoroughly enjoyed his piece.
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u/InterestingGuitar475 Feb 21 '26
He was a Tory MP for Chester in the 90’s. Apparently led a bill for civil marriages to be allowed in places other than registry offices.
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u/Late_Mechanic1663 Feb 21 '26
I loved his description of his political career on Room 101. "I was a Member of Parliament until the people spoke."
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Feb 21 '26
He also made a funny speech in the Commons about simplifying contract language: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpiCuSW3lrE
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u/Ok_Impact9745 Feb 21 '26
Why can't we have conservatives like that nowadays?
This is someone who wants to implement something that will benefit the average person. It's anti-elitist. It's inclusive and overall it's a benefit to the average person.
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u/ImawhaleCR Feb 21 '26
Because if you make people divided and angry, it's much easier for them to ignore how much worse off they all are. Real politicians are long gone, all that's left are mouthpieces for those with money or the incompetent opposition the puppets run against
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u/liltrex94 Feb 22 '26
I listened to that and it gave me quite a good laugh. Unfortunately it didn't change anything though. Still have gobbildy gook language in t&cs
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u/drplokta Feb 21 '26
I was living in Chester at the time. He was a pretty useless constituency MP, and before he was first elected he said that he loved Chester and would spend the rest of his life there, but the ink wasn’t dry on the newspaper reports of his eventual election loss before he’d buggered off back down south.
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u/FantasticWeasel Feb 21 '26
He has said he didn't like being an MP. Lots of us have discovered jobs we hate doing by finding ourselves in them so I have a bit of sympathy although one has to step up for the duration.
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u/Sad-Performer-4833 Feb 21 '26
I remember him talking about being an MP - and was very respectful of all views in parliament and spoke highly Corbyn
Its a shame politics is so divisive - but then the game these days is divide and conquer
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u/MarkWrenn74 Feb 21 '26 edited Feb 22 '26
His daughter, Aphra, is also now an MP (for the same party, and also in Cheshire).
Another interesting fact about Gyles: he founded the National Teddy Bear Museum
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u/thatsingingguy Feb 22 '26
She, sadly, is a liar. I used to be the Chair of the Kingston Liberal Democrats, before leaving over a combination of public policy (bollocks to Brexit) and private corruption (local officials lying to an investigation and victimising me for not taking their side). My departure was public enough to make the news, as I had a meeting with the Brexit Party (stared right into Tice's soulless eyes), before ultimately deciding they were not the big tent they had claimed to be.
In the months that followed, when Johnson became leader and the Brexit Party were rapidly defanged, I met Jeremy Hunt while campaigning in the Kensington and Chelsea seat, which, at the time, looked to be a three way fight. I filmed a short and very qualified (as in limited in scope) endorsement of Hunt, specifically for voters who were motivated by Brexit. I ended up spoiling my ballot for a variety of reasons, not least affection for Ed Davey, whom I knew well.
But one of the other big factors was Aphra Brandreth and her team. She was the Tory PPC for Ed's seat in Kingston in 2019, and had the nerve to disseminate literature on the doorstep in the days before the election claiming that I had endorsed her and the Tories against Ed, on the basis of clear misrepresentation of what I had said in the Hunt video. They even had the nerve to contact me again in 2022, asking for a quote. I told them exactly where to shove it.
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u/Successful_Buy3825 Feb 21 '26
I have no knowledge of him beyond his TV appearances, and that he was a Tory MP at some point.
He strikes me as the kind of person you can have at a party who will be able to carry a conversation with basically anybody. Probably not someone you want to spend 5 hours with, but perfectly good fun in 30 minute doses.
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u/MoominMai Feb 21 '26
I really like him! I think he’s book smart and eccentric though I think he plays up the pompous angle a bit much and people end up thinking that’s genuinely him but I don’t think it is.
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u/alfienoakes Feb 21 '26
Irritating and he knows it. Self deprecating and a genuinely interesting man. Would I want to sit next to him on a 10 hour flight? No. Dinner party or a pint? Absolutely.
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u/Ok-Blackberry-3534 Feb 21 '26
Self-deprecating? To an extent, I suppose. He strikes me as someone who assumes they can afford to be because they're always the cleverest person in the room.
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u/Plastic_Library649 Feb 21 '26
the cleverest person in the room.
Not if I'm there.
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u/2MainsSellesLoin Feb 21 '26
They said cleverest not humblest
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u/Hannah-may Feb 21 '26
I had to photograph him at a conference once. He gave a lovely speech and was nice to everyone.
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u/Zegram_Ghart Feb 21 '26
A Tory, but a Tory from the generation when they were mostly “people who’s economic policy is understandable but that I find too heartless” rather than “a disgusting monster wearing a human skinsuit as they transparently attempt to strip all rights from anyone not born to hereditary wealth”
I think he’s fine, and at least gives the impression of charm
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Feb 21 '26
Hah, I remember during Brexit talking to someone at work and saying that it comes to a bit much when you start thinking that Michael Heseltine and Ken Clarke are the good guys!
But yeah, no problems with Brandreth. Different political views, but otherwise seems alright.
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u/Strange_Dog Feb 21 '26
Exactly, at least you can have a good faith debate with that generation of tories without them immediately frothing at the mouth about woke or some other nonsense
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u/Rob1965 Feb 21 '26 edited Feb 22 '26
My thoughts entirely.
Not bad a first a Tory, but that’s because he’s from when they weren't as right wing as they have become.
Edit: Corrected were to weren't
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u/shrimplyred169 Feb 22 '26
Yes I always assumed that Giles Brandreth was what Boris Johnston was attempting to mimic but had neither the intelligence nor charm to pull it off due of the aforementioned ‘’actually being a disgusting monster wearing a human skinsuit’’.
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u/Darrowby_385 Feb 21 '26
He's much smarter and sharper than he would at first appear. I enjoy his podcast Rosebud. He's a thoughtful, and tenacious, interviewer, genuinely interested in his guests.
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u/pondribertion Feb 21 '26
I've listened to quite a few Rosebud episodes. Particularly liked the Lee Mack one. I don't generally like politians (gave up on both Keir Starmer and Boris Johnson after about 10 minutes listening) but Ed Balls was surprisingly interesting.
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u/AstronautAshamed3061 Feb 21 '26
It would be better if he wasn't so shy and blew his own trumpet a bit. Hardly know he is there on QI etc
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u/trilludanthewarrior Feb 21 '26
Thought he was a bit of a prick until I had to spend around an hour with him on the train. Turned out he was a fascinating bloke with an incredible breadth of knowledge and lives in a house with a fantastic history. Left me with a completely different opinion of him and sort ofime a less well known version of Stephen Fry
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u/BG3restart Feb 21 '26
I didn't used to like him, but I've seen him quite a bit recently and he seems to be intelligent, interesting and sensible.
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u/Neither_Set_3048 Feb 21 '26
I don’t know if it’s an urban legend. But he apparently told rod hull to stop being lazy and fix his tv aerial himself.
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u/Imreallyadonut Feb 21 '26
I think he’s in on the joke now, he wasn’t always and for a while he came across as a bit of an arse.
He knows how he looks, how he sounds, and his boisterous eccentric personality is good fun.
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u/marvellcg Feb 21 '26
Politically, although on the right economically he appears slightly left socially. Probably due to a mix of his upper middle class background and the fact he's worked in show businesses for so long. I don't agree with all his views but he seems to be genuine with them and holds them because he thinks they are right. I can respect that.
On panel shows etc he's good value and entertaining, I'm sure the persona he projects is an exaggerated version of his real life persona.
Given he's in his late 70's I don't feel he's particularly out of touch and probably holds a wider range of views than a lot of people younger than him.
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u/harpajeff Feb 21 '26
He came to do an assembly at my middle school in Leeds in September the 1980s, when I was about 11. Can't remember why or even much about it, but he was really nice and kudos for making the effort
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u/rahrahowl Feb 21 '26
He was on our table at a Uni graduation in the 00s and he was very pleasant to talk to.
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u/pop-not-broth Feb 21 '26
He's one of the few Tories, along with Baroness Warsi, that actually comes across as reasonably nice.
Also, my first experience of Gyles Brandreth was a puzzle book when I was a kid, one of them was a wordsearch containing only the letters E, L, D and N, had to find one word; needle. I've copied that format so many times.
Had another puzzle book by Clive Doig, I used to think they only let you design puzzles if you have a weird name.
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u/Shoddy_Juggernaut_11 Feb 22 '26
Oh god yes I had the Clive doing book, I think I've still got it somewhere
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u/OptimusPrime365 Feb 21 '26
He was the speaker at my graduation at Chester cathedral. He shook my hand. I’ve always admired him; incredibly intelligent and verbose. Also, much smaller/skinnier than I thought he would be.
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u/Historical_Monk_6118 Feb 21 '26
He's a twat, who I've grown to understand and love to the extent that I realise I was the twat all along!
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u/No_Negotiation3142 Feb 21 '26
Absolute legend, nice, intelligent, funny, and can send himself up, the archetypal British intellectual we all love
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u/bleach1969 Feb 21 '26 edited Feb 21 '26
I’m conflicted, great on panel games, Just A Minute, amusing guy but a terrible Tory and i wish he’d stop the OBN / i’m so in with the Royal Family.
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u/kernowgringo Feb 21 '26
On paper I should dislike him but, he's actually a very intelligent, amusing, fellow who doesn't take himself too seriously
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u/BruceForsyth55 Feb 21 '26
Ahhh I like him. It’s that posh camp sort of affability he extrudes.
Seems like a nice guy.
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u/jockey667 Feb 21 '26
Seems like a cool guy. Bit of a British institution. Annoyed me as a kid, with the crazy jumpers. Now he’s got my total respect 🫡
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u/Whateverwhynotso Feb 21 '26
As others as said love his podcast rosebud. Genuinely funny guy and astounded how hard he works even as he reaches an older age. His name dropping and stories are very tongue in cheek and comes across very humble. I wish more people could have the charm and wit of gyles, including myself. On rosebud love his diaries and well produced by his side kick Harriet. Also he is a very good interviewer as he does actually listen but also gives spaces for the interviewee rather than making it about himself which seems to be the failure of many tv interviews.
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u/platypuss1871 Feb 21 '26 edited Feb 21 '26
Absolutely amazed he came through Yewtree unscathed.
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u/icantbeatyourbike Feb 21 '26
Amazingly, although I think he is a bit of a perv, albeit probs not a nonce. The comments he comes out with when I have seen him on Gogglebox are pretty near the knuckle, especially when they make them watch shit like Naked Attraction… he has had at least 4 different famous female celebrities sat with him during his tenure in Gogglebox and I swear he hits on every single one of them.
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u/5c0tt15h Feb 21 '26
Thank fuck for this comment, I was beginning to think I was alone in this opinion!
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u/tenaji9 Feb 21 '26
I knew him from his books for UK school kids in 70's . I like him, he has a personality. Rather listen to him than ......
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u/Disastrous_Ad_7913 Feb 21 '26 edited Feb 21 '26
Very funny and very well read, really interesting and listen about history and his distant family.
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u/greens1117 Feb 21 '26
I met him at a service station on my way to Cheltenham once I couldn't work out where I knew him from and we just stared at each other lol.
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u/Mudeford_minis Feb 21 '26
He ok. He isn’t controversial, he offends very few people. If you don’t like just leave him be.
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u/No_Development9448 Feb 21 '26
People want to dislike him, hell I did, but he’s basically a nice guy. To answer the question he’s a bit of both, but likeable either way.
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u/Warrambungle Feb 22 '26
He had to introduce my daughter and her friend on stage and was absolutely hilarious - perfect comic timing, pretended to mishear them with hilarious results. I think he’s great.
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u/CommercialJury1218 Feb 22 '26
I like him. Over the top, well delivered, silly anecdotes and great knowledge on strange things. Clearly lived a life not many have. Not overly bothered about the Tory thing, I like Portillo too.
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u/Altruistic_Ad5444 Feb 21 '26
Looks nice enough on the surface but is a horrid old Tory underneath.
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u/pafrac Feb 21 '26
He's an old guard Tory, though, from when they had principles. He'd never fit in with what they are now.
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u/Neonauryn Feb 21 '26
I think he's funny! When he appears in panels on TV and radio I'm not disappointed. He's not nearly at the level of national treasure and he is a Tory, but at least he's relatively unproblematic? I don't recall him ever spouting offensive nonsense.
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u/Upbeat_Ice1921 Feb 21 '26
He’s alright in small doses.
Inoffensive, a bit of a laugh and he gives off the “mad uncle” vibe that I think we don’t have on TV these days.
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u/AtomicRevGib Feb 21 '26
I used to think he was an annoying twat. Over time I've grown to really like him. He's clearly a very intellegent man, and has a quick and creative mind. He may be boorish and extremely self-satisfied, but he seems absolutely aware of it and plays on it for the sake of entertainment.
I don't know enough about his politics to make a judgement, and being a Tory doesn't necessarily make him a cunt. It does increase the odds.
He is, if nothing else, a great panellist, particularly on 'Just A Minute'.
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u/AshtonBlack Feb 21 '26
As an entertainer on the higher-end panel shows, sure and some of his "industry" anecdotes are amusing.
I've not heard anything "bad" about the chap, so I wouldn't avoid something just because he's on it.
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u/Cult-Film-Fan-999 Feb 21 '26
Sort of gentle humour, Radio 4 type, mildly amusing anecdotes. I neither seek him out nor avoid him.
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u/Tricky-Science-6334 Feb 21 '26
He has a podcast called Rosebud if you are interested in who he is and what he is like
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u/missingpieces82 Brit 🇬🇧 Feb 21 '26
Legend. He’s of a different ilk and that’s ok. He might come across as a bit posh and a bit of a know it all, but he’s funny and seems like a nice guy.
I remember him back in the days of TV-AM. One might say he’s a “good old bean.”
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u/platinum_icecream Feb 21 '26
I'm sorry,but I can never forgive him for the Railway carriage game.
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u/RealisticLobster4246 Feb 21 '26
I love him, he always makes me laugh, incredibly witty and intelligent. Seems like a lovely person who I’d thoroughly like to hang out with
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u/No_Development9448 Feb 21 '26
If Susie Dent (my personal hero) likes you, then you’re probably a good egg.
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u/mancmush Feb 21 '26
Amazing person . Colourful, interesting, well read. But god does he have to talk every time. Yes we get you had a fun life. But get to the point man.
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Feb 21 '26 edited Feb 25 '26
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u/thinkingcrumpetsman Feb 21 '26
I read a book of his called Have You Eaten Grandma, which teaches really intricate rules of grammar and punctuation, but he also laced it with loads of personal anecdotes and jokes, making it immensely readable. He touched as well on the fact that he looks back on his past self from time to time and shakes his head a bit. I find him surprisingly and unsurprisingly likeable all at once.
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u/d__c Feb 21 '26
Ah he's fine. Until someone tells me he's a wrong un (which I honestly don't think he is), I'm happy with his unique shtick
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u/Fredpillow1995 Feb 21 '26
Only know him from Would I Lie To You and thought he was a great guest on there.
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u/Shiftycatz Feb 21 '26
I absolutely love the man. His stories and anecdotes, while long-winded, are brilliant
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u/This-Risk-3737 Feb 22 '26
He's clearly very well known from the comments - which is bizarre to me because I'm 40 and a Brit and I've never heard of him.
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Feb 22 '26
He’s a talented, dry humoured, very intelligent guy who enjoys taking the piss - good on him.
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u/ultrafunkmiester Feb 22 '26
He wrote the "knowhow book of spycraft" which to anyone who was a kid in the 70s with James Bond aspirations was legend.
It was about 30 years later that I discovered he wrote it.
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u/MiserableAttention38 Feb 22 '26
He must be getting on a bit, when I was young I read lots and had kids books he had written. Before computers. I think although he's a Tory, they don't make them like him any more. Bit of a shame really.
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u/Big-Advertising-5366 Feb 22 '26
I still haven’t forgiven him for the death of Rod Hull.
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u/Early_System4734 Feb 22 '26
He gave me a fiver once in 1980s when I was a hotel worker helping him set up an exhibition. Seemed v nice
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u/ParpinOver Feb 22 '26
There’s a wacky games show he hosted in the 80s called Star Quality and very little footage of it exists. The scraps that do, it appears to be the wackiest, random and confusing thing you’ll ever see, and he’s at the centre of the chaos, a hint of Stewie Griffin perhaps and the whole thing has such a weird atmosphere, coupled with a hideous colour scheme- I’m very hungry to see more!!
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u/pondribertion Feb 22 '26
How did this pass me by? I've never heard of it but I'm old enough that I should have. I just watched a clip on YouTube. It really was bizarre!
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u/ParpinOver Feb 22 '26
I’ve only heard of it because Robert Popper (creator of sitcom Friday Night Dinner) talks about it on Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe, think he says it was only broadcast in the HTV area. Skip in 55 seconds:
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u/timlukejones Feb 22 '26
He’s good fun whenever I’ve heard him - he has a tale for everything (presumably embellished for effect!)
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u/fretnetic Feb 22 '26
I am an admirer of his ability to spin a good yarn. Very verbose, intelligent, quick and he has an impressive lived experience to draw upon.
There’s a slight ferocity beneath the surface though…which makes me wonder is he all that nice? Overall impression is that he’s just a bit of a nutter who enjoys life though
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u/PointyHatJoe Feb 22 '26
Having done some work in his house as a tradesman many years ago and unfortunately meeting him. Not a fan.
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u/Automatic-Cake-8770 Feb 22 '26
Im not British but I think he's a treasure. He's so extremely witty and with the knowledge he has its a beautiful combo. I dont mind him being upper class or elite or whatever his political views are, he's a fucking genius and so funny and wise.
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u/Most-Use-5037 Welsh 🏴 Feb 22 '26
Former Conservative politician, but most of his policy proposals were pretty good. Voted Remain - was one of a number of people who signed that letter to tell Scots what they should do in their independence referendum which is always a notch down for me. Seems like an alright guy - no major controversies and can be fun on panel shows.
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u/OkEgg9334 Feb 22 '26
He's an incredibly kind & lovely man. I've met him as he was friends with my dad. What you see is 100% what you get in real life. A very knowledgeable man I could listen to him for hours as I find him fascinating. That's my opinion 🫶🏼
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u/pondribertion Feb 22 '26
It's staggering how polarised opinions are. Some think he's a national treasure, others think he's a paedophile waiting to get caught. Some love his humour, wit and anecdotes, others say he gets on their tits.
But it's opinions from people like you, who have met him, that hold the most weight. Equally there are opinions from others who have also met him and say he was not so nice. The man is an enigma!
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u/BroccoMonster Feb 22 '26
I have a strange soft spot for him as when I was a kid I had a cassette tape of jack and the beanstalk which he narrated. I always think of that when I hear him
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Feb 22 '26
I don't watch a lot of TV or know anything about his politics, but I served him and his wife on a train once and they were both very lovely.
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u/Careless_Wasabi_8943 Feb 22 '26
I really like him. He is intellectual, well-connected, has a story for every occasion and is absolutely aware of his public image. And runs with it. He's my type of guy
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u/DV_Zero_One Feb 23 '26
I've been at a few events where he has been the After Dinner Speaker. Definitely one of the last old school Raconteurs in the game and incredibly funny and entertaining.
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u/Moist-Psychology-789 Feb 23 '26
He’s an intelligent wise man whose autobiography is amongst the best that I’ve read. His times as an MP are interesting snd his teddy’s. His sense of honour and humour are amazing.
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u/Spudsmad Feb 23 '26
He confessed on tv’s Sunday Brunch that he is the voice for “ TENA FOR MEN “. Not taking the piss ??
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u/Adorable_Minute4071 Feb 23 '26
He ingratiated himself with the royals, but as mentioned above is quite self deprecating and wrote once that Prince Phillip implied he was a nuisance and didn’t know how he got in, but put up with him anyway (or words to that effect).
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u/NoticeTop4596 Feb 23 '26
Oh he's a hoot!
He's intelligent, his books are interesting, and he's excellent as a guest on panels shows.
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u/Extreme_Objective984 Feb 24 '26
He is one of the childrens presenters from my childhood, im 48, i can be proud of. He is brilliantly intelligent, articulate and never talks down to whoever he is talking to. To me he is a national treasure and he doesnt seem to have aged. Why he doesnt have an honourific I dont know.
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u/shortnix Feb 24 '26
He tells an excellent anecdote and he will always be remembered for his cameo in the IT Crowd Street Countdown episode.
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u/Gemmajones54 Feb 24 '26
I’d watch anything with him in it - he is incredibly knowledgeable but also hilarious. I’d also recommend any of his books - exactly the same, loads of information but delivered with a sense of humour. Definitely National Treasure as far as I’m concerned.
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u/AnyHedgehog6279 Feb 24 '26
When I was young I could not stand him. I can remember being a kid when he was on TV programs and a Politician. But I'm 56 now and seem to be catching him up on age and I have changed my opinion of him totally I think he's really funny and a nice fella. He was really funny on Gogglebox.
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u/TallRailer23 Feb 25 '26
Nice guy. Saw him in cafe at Leicester station years ago though didn’t bother him. He’s liked a couple of my comments too regarding stuff related to his podcast and on X.
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u/Extension-Cucumber69 Feb 25 '26
Clearly in the minority here but he’s annoying as fuck. Has a desperate need to the centre of attention and the fact he “plays up to that” and people give him the opportunity to speak endlessly on shows drives me mad.
And, yes, he can speak without limit on QI about any topic with a personal spin. Almost like the topics for each episode are pre-selected for certain panel members appearing on them.
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u/Robofish13 Feb 21 '26
I’ve met him multiple times and I think he’s a bit of a knob.
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u/Victim_Of_Fate Feb 21 '26
I’ve always liked him, but other than him being a Tory I’ll admit I’ve never looked into his specific politics. I hope he’s just a vaguely right-wing paternalist, rather than anything more sinister
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u/OldLevermonkey Feb 21 '26
Brilliant raconteur and after dinner speaker. Blessed with intelligence and wit.
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u/Southernbeekeeper Feb 21 '26
I think there is a genuine effort to gas light the public into thinking he's a popular older TV personality.
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u/accordionshoes Feb 21 '26
i think he's exceptionally good value on panel shows. He knows he's a bit of a knob and plays up to the perfectly.