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Clive Myrie

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Clive Myrie
Myrie interviewing Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, 14 April 2022
Born
Clive Augustus Myrie

(1964-08-25) 25 August 1964 (age 60)
Farnworth, Lancashire, England
EducationUniversity of Sussex (LLB)
Occupation(s)Journalist, presenter
Notable credit(s)BBC News, BBC News at Five, BBC News at Ten, BBC News at Six, Beyond 100 Days, Mastermind
SpouseCatherine Myrie

Clive Augustus Myrie (born 25 August 1964) is a British journalist, newsreader and presenter who works for the BBC. He is one of the BBC's chief news presenters and correspondents, as well as their election results presenter.[1] Since August 2021 he has been the host of the long-running BBC quiz shows Mastermind and Celebrity Mastermind.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Clive Augustus Myrie was born on 25 August 1964 in Farnworth, near Bolton, Lancashire, England, to Jamaican immigrant parents, who came to the United Kingdom in the 1960s.[3] His uncle Cecil was a munitions driver in the Royal Air Force during the war.[4] His mother was a seamstress who worked for Mary Quant,[4] while his father Norris was a factory worker who made car batteries and carpets.[5][6] His parents later divorced, and his father returned to Jamaica following his retirement. Myrie was educated at Hayward Grammar School in the Great Lever area of Bolton, followed by Bolton Sixth Form College, where he completed his A-levels. He graduated from the University of Sussex with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1985.[6][7]

Career

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Myrie joined the BBC in 1987 as a trainee local radio reporter,[8] on the Corporation's graduate journalism programme.[6] His first assignment was as a reporter for Radio Bristol in 1988, returning to the BBC after a year with Independent Radio News. He then reported for Points West, and latterly BBC Television and Radio News.

In 1996, he became a BBC foreign correspondent and has since reported from more than 90 countries.[9] He initially became the BBC's Tokyo correspondent, and was then the Los Angeles correspondent from 1997 to 1999. He was appointed BBC Asia Correspondent in 2002 and was Paris correspondent from 2006 to 2007. His career has encompassed major stories such as the impeachment of U.S. President Bill Clinton, and wars in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. During the invasion of Iraq by coalition forces in March 2003, Myrie was an embedded correspondent with 40 Commando Royal Marines, joining them initially on HMS Ocean and subsequently during operations on the Al-Faw Peninsula. Due to the danger this particular assignment posed, Myrie had to write a "goodbye" letter to his family, in case of his death.[10]

After latterly serving as Europe correspondent based in Brussels,[6] he was appointed a presenter on the BBC News Channel in April 2009, replacing the retired Chris Lowe.[11] Since joining BBC News, Myrie has presented the BBC Weekend News and weekend editions of BBC News at Ten and BBC Breakfast, both on BBC One. In June 2014, he began presenting weekday bulletins on BBC One.

In September 2010, Myrie broke the story that ETA had declared a unilateral ceasefire after he met an ETA operative in Paris, who handed over a tape of the organisation's leaders making the declaration.[12]

He has presented the 18:30-to-midnight slot, Monday to Thursday, on the BBC News Channel. During the 2015 general election, he was the main presenter of Election Tonight at 19:30 and 21:30. Since 2019, Myrie has focused on BBC One network bulletins with the evening shift presented by a set of relief presenters.

Myrie reported extensively from Kathmandu on the earthquake that struck the city on 25 April 2015, including the rescues of two Nepali citizens who were found alive under two collapsed buildings on 30 April 2015.[13] In October 2017, Myrie visited Bangladesh to report on the Rohingya refugee crisis.[14]

Myrie has occasionally presented on BBC World News, including World News Today, World News America and the 2016 US election. He appeared as a guest on BBC One's Have I Got News for You on 15 April 2016. In September 2017, Myrie appeared as a panellist on Richard Osman's House of Games quiz show.[15] He has also presented with Katty Kay the current affairs programme Beyond 100 Days.[16]

In 2019, Myrie began presenting the BBC News at Six and BBC News at Ten on alternate Fridays with Sophie Raworth following the departure of Fiona Bruce to Question Time.[citation needed]

On 22 March 2021, it was announced that Myrie would become the new host of the flagship BBC Two quiz show Mastermind and its BBC One spin-off show, Celebrity Mastermind, following John Humphrys' decision to leave after 18 years.[2] Myrie made his debut as host on 23 August 2021.[17] In November 2021, he featured as a guest participant in an episode of the BBC Two programme Celebrity Antiques Road Trip with fellow newsreader Reeta Chakrabarti.[18]

Myrie hosted a documentary series on Jazz FM entitled The Definitive History of Jazz In Britain, broadcasting over ten weeks from 4 April to 6 June 2021.[19][20] He also occasionally presents classical music on BBC Radio 3.[21]

In February 2022, he travelled to Ukraine and was the anchor for BBC coverage of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[22][23] In one report on the invasion, Myrie stated that he and other journalists were staying in the city as "We all want to tell the story of this war, and we want to tell it accurately."[24][25] On 8 March, he announced his return to the UK but promised he would return to the warzone.[26]

Myrie also presented part of the coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II as well as the Proclamation of accession of Charles III on BBC News and BBC World News.[27][28] He presented Clive Myrie's Italian Road Trip in 2023.[29]

On 16 June 2023, Myrie hosted Have I Got News for You, for the fourth time, and poked fun at the past seven days’ new stories, particularly around former prime minister Boris Johnson. It was later claimed that he was "pulled" from that night's BBC News At Ten as a result.[30] He later explained that the two shows had been just "too close" together.[31]

In July 2023, Myrie became the Pro Chancellor of the University of Bolton. He said "The University of Bolton in my home town is one of the most socially inclusive universities in the UK. ... In a world where trade, commerce and culture are becoming ever more connected, your experience of studying in a diverse environment will prove to be a source of strength for many years to come."[32]

In March 2024, the BBC announced Myrie's second travelogue series Clive Myrie’s Caribbean Adventure would air in 2024.[33]

On 28 May 2024, Myrie was announced as the host of the BBC's election night coverage for the 2024 United Kingdom general election, alongside Laura Kuenssberg.[34][35] He was also announced as the host for BBC's election night coverage for the 2024 United States presidential election.[36]

Clive Myrie is also Chancellor of University of the Arts London,[37] and attended his first graduation ceremony in that role at the Royal Festival Hall, London, on 16 July 2024.[38]

Controversy

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In 2024 Myrie was filmed referring to an incident that occurred during a Q&A at the University of the Arts London (UAL) on September 25 where he had been recently appointed Chancellor. Myrie was heckled by a pro Palestine student who he refers to as an 'idiot' and a 'lunatic' while using inappropriate language. [39] [40]

Personal life

[edit]

Myrie is married to Catherine Myrie, an upholsterer and furniture restorer.[6][41] Myrie met his wife, who then worked in publishing, at the 1992 London launch of a book about Swiss cheeses.[42] According to Myrie, she "gave me the courage and space to pursue my dreams."[5] They live in Islington, North London.[7][43]

Myrie enjoys going to the cinema and his favourite music genre is jazz, which he discovered at university.[44] While at school, he learned to play the violin and the trumpet and played in the local youth orchestra; appearing on Saturday Live in February 2022 his Inheritance Tracks were "Welcome to My World" by Jim Reeves and "So What" by Miles Davis.[4] He is a supporter of Manchester City F.C.[45]

Myrie has experienced racist abuse, which has included death threats, and been the recipient of a card, with a gorilla on the front, which read: "We don't want people like you on our TV screens."[46] In October 2019, Ian Hargreaves, a 66-year-old man from Leeds, was jailed for 18 months at Leeds Crown Court for sending electronic death threats towards Myrie and motorsport commentator Jack Nicholls; Myrie said in a victim statement that he found the threats "deeply troubling".[47][48]

In June 2024 he was the guest for BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, choosing "Long, Long Summer" by Dizzy Gillespie, the catalogue for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and some hot pepper sauce as his favourite record, book and luxury item respectively.[49]

Myrie's nephew is actor Jorden Myrie, who appeared in the second series of BBC One drama Sherwood in 2024.[50][51]

In October 2024 Myrie issued an apology after failing to declare £145,000 earnings from corporate events over the previous year. It was claimed that he failed to include 11 engagements in his list to the BBC. Myrie said he would not be taking part in any more paid external events for "the foreseeable future".[52]

Awards

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Myrie has won several nominations for his work, most significantly for his role in the BAFTA-nominated BBC team behind coverage of the Mozambique floods in 2000.[53][54] He was awarded the Bayeux-Calvados Award for war correspondents for his reporting of ethnic violence on the island of Borneo.[8]

In 2016, he received an honorary doctorate from Staffordshire University.[53] In 2019, the University of Sussex awarded him a "Doctor of the University" degree.[55] In 2022, he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Social Science for his outstanding contribution to broadcasting, television and society from the University of Bolton, which he described as "an honour".[56][32]

In July 2023, Myrie received an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts (HonDA) from Edge Hill University.[57]

In the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2021, Myrie was named both "Television Journalist of the Year" and "Network Presenter of the Year",[58] winning the accolades "for his versatile, measured and compelling style".[59]

In November 2024, Myrie was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the West of Scotland.[60]

Books

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  • Clive Myrie : The Biography (Independently published, July 2023), ISBN 9798853934412[61]
  • Everything is Everything: A Memoir of Love, Hate & Hope (Hodder & Stoughton, September 2023), ISBN 9781399714983[62][63]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Clive Myrie on The King's Proclamation". Behind the Stories. BBC News. 29 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b Marsh, Sarah (22 March 2021). "Clive Myrie to replace John Humphrys as Mastermind host". The Guardian.
  3. ^ "Clive Myrie". Retrieved 27 May 2023 – via PressReader.
  4. ^ a b c "BBC Radio 4 – Saturday Live, Naughty Boy". BBC. 12 February 2022.
  5. ^ a b Rockson, Gabrielle (1 November 2021). "Clive Myrie's life from beautiful marriage to mum who worked for Mary Berry". MyLondon.
  6. ^ a b c d e Burrell, Ian (16 February 2009). "Clive Myrie: The man who took over Sir Trevor McDonald's mantle". The Independent. London. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Clive Myrie: Spotlight on: alumni stories". www.sussex.ac.uk.
  8. ^ a b "Clive Myrie, BBC correspondent". Newswatch. BBC News. 14 July 2006. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  9. ^ Sanderson, Caroline (30 June 2023). "Clive Myrie discusses his career, family and the Windrush Generation". The Bookseller. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Clive Myrie: 'I've been in some dangerous situations, but I don't think I ever thought about the danger'". The Big Issue. Interviewed by Jane Graham. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  11. ^ Plunkett, John (14 April 2009). "Clive Myrie to be presenter on BBC News channel". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  12. ^ "Eta ceasefire scoop: how the BBC got the story". BBC News. 6 September 2010.
  13. ^ "Nepal earthquake: Two rescued after five days". BBC News. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  14. ^ "Rohingya killed 'house by house' killings". BBC News. 18 October 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  15. ^ "Episode 6, Series 1, Richard Osman's House of Games – Credits – BBC Two". BBC. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  16. ^ "Beyond 100 Days". BBC News. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  17. ^ Singh, Anita (23 August 2021). "Mastermind is in safe hands with new host Clive Myrie". The Telegraph. Retrieved 23 August 2021 – via www.telegraph.co.uk. Myrie did a fine job in his first show since taking over from former presenter John Humphrys
  18. ^ "Celebrity Antiques Road Trip | Episode 2, Series 10". BBC Two. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  19. ^ "Jazz FM presents The Definitive History of Jazz in Britain series hosted by Clive Myrie". Jazzwise. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  20. ^ "History of jazz series planned for Jazz FM". Radio Today. March 2021.
  21. ^ "BBC Radio 3 – Sunday Morning, Clive Myrie with a refreshing musical mix". BBC. 20 March 2022.
  22. ^ Hill-Paul, Lucas (25 February 2022). "BBC viewers voice support as Clive Myrie 'sheds tear' in emotional Kyiv report 'So brave'". Express.
  23. ^ Duke, Simon (1 March 2022). "BBC's Clive Myrie hailed a hero as he remains in Ukraine to deliver updates amid conflict". Chronicle Live.
  24. ^ Carmichael, Josh (2 March 2022l). "Nicola Sturgeon hails BBC journalist Clive Myrie as 'unsung hero'". HeraldScotland. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  25. ^ Martin, Emily (3 March 2022). "Clive Myrie sheds tear for Ukraine on live TV and explains why he won't leave". WalesOnline. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  26. ^ Yeates, Cydney (8 March 2022). "BBC's Clive Myrie returning to London after fleeing Ukraine amid Russian invasion, but vows he'll go back". Metro.
  27. ^ Everything is Everything: A Memoir of Love, Hate & Hope.
  28. ^ "The Proclamation of HM The King". BBC. 10 September 2022.
  29. ^ Lawes, Ruth (30 April 2023). "Clive Myrie addresses comparison to Stanley Tucci after announcing BBC Italy travel series: 'We both have shortages of hair'". Metro. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  30. ^ Welsh, Daniel (22 June 2023). "Clive Myrie 'Pulled' From Friday's BBC News At Ten After Have I Got News For You Appearance". HuffPost UK. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  31. ^ McLaughlin, Charlotte (22 June 2023). "Clive Myrie on being pulled from BBC News: HIGNFY airs too close to bulletin". The Independent. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  32. ^ a b "BBC journalist and Mastermind presenter Clive Myrie installed as Pro Chancellor of University of Bolton". bolton.ac.uk. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  33. ^ "Clive Myrie swaps the newsroom for the islands of the Caribbean in new travel series: Clive Myrie's Caribbean Adventure". bbc.co.uk/mediacentre. 15 March 2024.
  34. ^ "Laura Kuenssberg and Clive Myrie to host BBC network TV election night coverage". BBC (Press release). Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  35. ^ Mosalski, Ruth (28 May 2024). "BBC announces Huw Edwards' replacement for general election coverage". Wales Online. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  36. ^ "Clive Myrie, Desert Island Discs – BBC Radio 4". BBC. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  37. ^ "Clive Myrie named Chancellor of University of the Arts London" (Press release). University of the Arts London. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  38. ^ "Congratulations Class of 2024". University of the Arts London. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  39. ^ Simpson, Craig (11 October 2024). "Watch: Clive Myrie calls pro-Palestinian protester a 'f------ idiot'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  40. ^ Gergana, Krasteva (13 October 2024). "BBC star Clive Myrie rages at 'lunatic' heckler over 'spreading Israeli propaganda'".
  41. ^ Corscadden, Jane (23 March 2021). "Who is Clive Myrie's wife? BBC Presenter next pick for Mastermind host". The Focus.
  42. ^ Wilson, Katie (27 May 2024). "BBC News Clive Myrie reveals why he and wife gave up on having children". Nottingham Post.
  43. ^ Bull, Millie (9 November 2022). "Clive Myrie's home: Mastermind host's quiet life in London where average home is £811,000". express.co.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  44. ^ "Clive Myrie". tvnewsroom.co.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  45. ^ "Clive Myrie". Twitter. Archived from the original on 18 April 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  46. ^ Busby, Mattha (20 June 2020). "Clive Myrie details racist abuse he receives as BBC News presenter". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  47. ^ Gardner, Tony (16 October 2019). "Leeds far-right extremist threatened to kill BBC broadcasters and racially abused Lewis Hamilton". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  48. ^ "Paedophile made 'disturbing' comments about Jill Dando". Bristol Post. 19 October 2019.
  49. ^ "Clive Myrie, journalist". Desert Island Discs. BBC Radio 4. 16 June 2014.
  50. ^ Hogan, Michael (1 September 2024). "Sherwood series two, episode three recap – absolutely electrifying TV". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  51. ^ Hogan, Michael (8 September 2024). "Sherwood series two, episode five recap – one devastating scene after another". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  52. ^ McIntosh, Steven (4 December 2024). "Clive Myrie sorry for not declaring £145k earnings". BBC News. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  53. ^ a b "Honorary graduates | Clive Myrie". Staffordshire University. 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  54. ^ "Clive Myrie". Performing Artistes. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  55. ^ Allen, Stephanie (22 January 2019). "'Doctor of the University' degree to be awarded to Sussex alumnus and BBC broadcaster, Clive Myrie". University of Sussex. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  56. ^ Chaudhari, Saiqa (13 July 2022). "Clive Myrie and Sophie Willan honoured at University of Bolton graduations". The Bolton News. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  57. ^ "BBC journalist Clive Myrie receives honorary doctorate". BBC News. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  58. ^ Singh, Anita (22 March 2021). "Clive Myrie named as new Mastermind host". The Telegraph.
  59. ^ "The winners of the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2021 have been announced". Royal Television Society. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  60. ^ "Mastermind host amongst UWS Honorary Doctorates awarded at winter graduations". www.uws.ac.uk. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  61. ^ "Clive Myrie : The Biography". amazon.ca. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  62. ^ "Everything is Everything: A Memoir of Love, Hate & Hope (Hardback)". waterstones.com. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  63. ^ Grant, Colin (25 September 2023). "Everything Is Everything by Clive Myrie review – the man behind the headlines". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Clive Myrie.
Media offices
Preceded by
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 World Affairs Correspondent: BBC News
1996–? 		Incumbent
Preceded by
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 Chief News Presenter: BBC News
2022–? 		Incumbent
Preceded by Host of Mastermind
2021–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded byas host until 2019 Host of BBC Election Night Coverage
2024–present 		Incumbent
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