QUIZ MASTER
John Humphrys – age, partner, children and career – all you need to know about the retiring Radio 4 Today host
JOHN Humphrys is a highly respected journalist and TV host.
The Welsh broadcaster is best known for heading up BBC Radio 4's Today show and Mastermind - read on to discover how he rose up the ranks of the corporation.
3
What is John Humphrys' background?
Born in the Splott area of Cardiff on August 17, 1943, John, 76, grew up with four siblings and attended Cardiff High School, a grammar school, after passing his eleven plus.
At the age of 15 he began his journalism career, and worked as a reporter for local newspaper the Penarth Times, before joining Western Mail, which covers Wales and its border counties.
The first time he appeared on television was for Television Wales and the West.
In 1966 he joined the BBC, working as a reporter in Liverpool and its surrounding areas. From there he rose up the ranks of the corporation to work as a foreign correspondent in locations such as the United States and South Africa.
Returning to the UK in 1980, he became head presenter on the BBC's Nine O'Clock News in 1981, and in 1987 he began hosting BBC Radio 4's Today show.
3
What has John Humphrys presented?
In addition to the Today show, John presented On the Record, a BBC political television show, from 1993 to 2002.
From 2003 he has hosted the popular quiz show Mastermind, and he has also presented occasional episodes of Panorama.
He courted controversy in 2004 when he criticised the increasing violence shown in soaps, and at the same time claimed that television was being dumbed down.
In 2009 he embarrassed the BBC by saying his large Mastermind pay check was "money for old rope".
3
When is John Humphrys retiring from Radio 4?
John Humphrys is departing Radio 4's Today programme, after more than three decades working at the corporation.
His final show will air TODAY, Thursday September 19, from 6am and will end at 9am.
The veteran broadcaster announced his departure in early 2019, telling BBC Radio 4’s The World at One he should have left the show years ago but clung on for fear he would miss it.
His final interviewees were former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Tony Blair.
More on TV & showbiz
Is John Humphrys married and does he have any children?
The radio regular has three children but is not currently married.
After marrying Edna Wilding in 1964, the couple had a son and a daughter, Christopher and Catherine.
They separated in the 1980s, shortly before Edna passed away from cancer.
He then had a third child in 2000, son Owen, with his partner at the time, newsreader Valerie Sanderson.
Since then he has dated Observer columnist Catherine Bennett.
Topics