Impressed with Gyles Brandreth

I have warmed to Gyles Brandreth after hearing his anecdotes about the Royal Family and his wry sense of humour.

GrannyGravy13

I am secretly slightly in love with Gyles.

I think he would be a loyal best friend, and a fabulous night out mate.

I thought it was just me!
I saw him doing one of his one man shows on stage recently and it was brilliant. Non stop stories and entertainment but some poignancy too.
Not my usual crush type, either ?

Great to see a thread where everyone appears to agree!

Yes like Giles.

Gyles

There was a program on BBC 1 last night - "Elizabeth her passions and pastimes", a nice program and Gyles was on that. If it is shown again it is a good one to watch.

Gyles was at Oxford University in the same year as me, and it was always said that he had gone there with one ambition in mind: to be a celebrity! He wrote a column in the university paper from his second year on, and eventually got to be elected president of the Oxford Union, after having held every other office, and, it was said, after they had run out of other possible candidates (the presidency rotated every term). He was no doubt popular with many, but many others found him intensely irtitating; the student paper once referred to another union president as "who? How did he get elected? Oh of course - he stood against Brandreth".

BUT he has developed over the decades and the smarminess has given way to a real self-deprecating charm. He is clever and funny, and it's the sheer quickness of his wit that impresses me most.

He was the guest speaker at an industry dinner dance I went to a few years ago. Absolutely brilliant.

He has always been like this.... I have always liked him.

I agree, he has been extremely easy and enjoyable to listen to.

I like him as well, it is nice to read he is genuinely a nice man

I used to really like Gyles B until I saw him on Gogglebox with various 'partners' when imo he was very condescending towards them, explaining the simplest things as if they wouldn't understand themselves.

I like Gyles too. He’s often on celebrity Gogglebox, with one or
other of his lady friends, Sheila Hancock, Maureen Lipman, Joanna Lumley. Also often on Radio 4 game shows, like Just a Minute or I’m sorry I’ll read that again. Always entertaining.

I agree with you Jaylou, he has come across really well : knowledgeable, without being sycophantic. I’d previously dismissed him as a bit of a comedy act, but he’s had real gravitas.

He's very clever and witty and has done lots so allowed to 'name drp' whatever is supposed to be wrong about that? To recount events etc involving well known persons is just that! Do folks expect you to tell lies or use pseudonyms? If you go to lunch where someone famous also goes and you always have a chat so what? If it's true , do tell!

I respect him greatly, and he is so easy to listen to. His humour is very British, and I feel he is so likeable, would love to go down the pub with him for a pint and a natter...love him

He's an excellent raconteur. I went to his one-man-show some years ago and it was an evening of gentle, intelligent humour.

Gyles is very professional and good at his job - but is it only me who has noticed there is a slight whistling sound when he speaks. Unfortunately that’s all I can hear when I listen to him now - I even pick it up when he’s on the odd advert - my husband thinks perhaps it’s his teeth?!

I really like him now, I didn't used to back in the 80s, I thought he was smarmy but now I find him fascinating and charming. He has had such an interesting life, met so many people, got so many surprising connections. I think he is a genuine man. I've really enjoyed his canal series with Sheila Hancock and his appearances on QI and Would I Lie to You.

I lived and loved UK when I lived in London. I am American native to Florida. I have learned many new things from these posts. SO, I had never heard about Giles Brandreth and I looked him up. Found several Podcasts about him, and currently listening to him talk about his father’s involvement with Poor Houses and Mr. Brandwreth’s teddy bear collection. Just Google his name and the word Podcasts. Thank you for sharing another delightful subject!

Gyles is on BBC 1 now for the vigil.

I watched the vigil a short while ago. I noticed that Gyles had black trousers with a less than new navy jacket! apart from that I like what he has to say!

I have never met Giles ( my iPad insists I wrote his name wrongly) but I did enjoy his appearances on Celebrity Gogglebox. I bought the audio book Odd Boy Out and really enjoyed listening to him reading it. I can recommend the book. He has lead an interesting life.