Famous British Journalists
When asked to define journalism, the prompt reply by mostly all is that it acts as the watchdog of the society. Having said that, the responsibility of the journalists doubles by itself for they are not only supposed to be skilled and proficient in their reporting but righteous and ethical as well. Since times immemorial, the culture and trends in journalism has sharply been changing from being slaves of dictators to fiercely independent, sensational journalism to citizen journalism and much more. In the English world, there have been numerous journalists who have created a niche for themselves due to their prompt and ethical reporting, daring attitude and never-say-die spirit. Amongst them, some that deserve a mention include Robert Fisk, a fearless reporter who covered the Persian Gulf War, Iraq War and the war in Afghanistan, Kate Adie who is still best known for her stint with BBC News as Chief News Correspondent, Louis Sebastian Theroux, an explorer of cultural subjects who gained the top spot with the flagship shows ‘Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends’ and ‘When Louis Met…’. Check out this section to get detailed information regarding the life and works of famous British journalists.
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1
George Orwell(Known for His Novels “Animal Farm” and “Nineteen Eighty-Four”)
Birthdate: June 25, 1903
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Motihari, Bihar, India
Died: January 21, 1950
The king of dystopia and satire, George Orwell, the pen name adopted by Eric Arthur Blair, was a well-known novelist and critic of the 20th century. A man with a strong mind of his own, Orwell never backed down from stating his views on the socio-political climate he lived in, which he expressed profusely through his influential essays and novels.
2
Louis Theroux(Documentary Filmmaker, Journalist, Broadcaster and Podcaster)
Birthdate: May 20, 1970
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Singapore
Renowned British-American documentary filmmaker, Louis Theroux began his career as a journalist with Metro Silicon Valley, Spy magazine and TV Nation series. He gained recognition with his documentary series When Louis Met..., and Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends. The two time BAFTA Award winner has also received appreciation for his documentaries The Most Hated Family in America and My Scientology Movie.
Birthdate: December 30, 1865
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Mumbai, India
Died: January 18, 1936
English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist Rudyard Kipling is best remembered for his fiction work The Jungle Book. He was born in India and many of his works are inspired by his life in the country. He was one of the most popular English writers in the late 19th and early 20th century.
4
Christopher Hitchens(British-American Author Who is Known for Excoriating Criticisms of Public Contemporary Figures)
Birthdate: April 13, 1949
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Portsmouth, England
Died: December 15, 2011
Christopher Hitchens was an advocate for New Atheism and a harsh critic of religion and of famous personalities such as Bill Clinton and Mother Teresa. He authored and edited many books on socio-political issues. As a journalist, he wrote for well-known publications such as New Statesman and The Weekly Standard.
Birthdate: April 11, 1960
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Doncaster, West Riding of Yorkshire
Jeremy Clarkson has come a long way from being a local journalist to becoming a recognized public personality, thanks to his appearance as a presenter in the popular TV show Top Gear. He is credited with making Top Gear one of the most successful shows in the UK. His tongue-in-cheek presenting style and writing often provoke a public reaction.
6
Richard Hammond
(Television presenter best known for co-hosting the BBC Two motoring programme Top Gear from 2002 until 2015)
Birthdate: December 19, 1969
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Solihull, England
Birthdate: January 16, 1963
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Bristol, United Kingdom
James May is an English journalist and television presenter. May is known for co-presenting the popular factual television show Top Gear alongside Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson. James May is credited with co-founding the independent TV production company W. Chump and Sons.
Birthdate: November 2, 1970
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: England
Lucy Hawking, daughter of legendary physicist Stephen Hawking, has been a journalist with New York Magazine, The Times, and The Telegraph. She has also authored several children's books, such as George's Secret Key to the Universe. She is the VP of National Star College and also works for autism research.
Birthdate: May 26, 1953
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Hertfordshire
Former Conservative MP from Enfield Southgate, and Kensington and Chelsea, Michael Portillo, later hosted the BBC documentaries Great British Railway Journeys and Great Continental Railway Journeys. A Thatcherite and an EU-sceptic, he gave rise to the term "Portillo moment" when he lost the Conservative Enfield Southgate seat in 1997.
Birthdate: November 3, 1949
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Hampstead, London, England
Anna Wintour is a British-American journalist. She has been working as Vogue's Editor-in-Chief since 1988. Known for having an eye for emerging fashion trends, Wintour is credited with reviving Vogue as it was viewed as a stagnating publication when she assumed control in 1988. Nicknamed Nuclear Wintour due to her demanding personality, Wintour inspired the story The Devil Wears Prada.
11
Jay Shetty(English Motivational Speaker, Journalist and Lifestyle Vlogger)
Birthdate: September 6, 1987
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: London, England
Jay Shetty is a British author and former monk who spent three years at a spiritual hermitage in India. Shetty is the host of one of the most popular health podcasts in the world, On Purpose, where he has interviewed personalities like Kobe Bryant and Alicia Keys. In 2017, he was named on Forbes magazine's 30 Under 30 Europe list.
Birthdate: April 25, 1964
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Singapore
13
George Eliot(English Novelist, Poet and One of the Leading Writers of the Victorian Era)
Birthdate: November 22, 1819
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Warwickshire, England
Died: December 22, 1880
Mary Ann Evans, known by her pseudonym George Eliot, was an English poet, novelist, translator, and journalist. One of the most prominent writers of the Victorian era, Eliot's works are known for their psychological insight, realism, and detailed description of the countryside. Her novel Middlemarch was voted one of the greatest literary works in a 2007 poll conducted by Time.
Birthdate: February 25, 1975
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Streatham
Journalist Naga Munchetty is known for hosting shows such as BBC Breakfast, Victoria Derbyshire, and Newsnight. She previously hosted BBC World News and Working Lunch and also won Celebrity Mastermind. She is also a skilled golfer and plays jazz trumpet and the piano. She publicly criticized Trump for his racism.
15
David Frost(Television Host Best Remembered for the show 'Through the Keyhole' and 'That Was the Week That Was')
Birthdate: April 7, 1939
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Tenterden, Kent, England
Died: August 31, 2013
David Frost was an English media personality, journalist, television host, comedian, and writer. One of the most popular television interviewers of all time, Frost interviewed eight British prime ministers and seven American presidents in office. His interview with Richard Nixon was adapted into a play and film. He also played a key role in the establishment of TV-am in 1983.
Birthdate: January 20, 1975
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: United Kingdom
TV host and automotive journalist Chris Harris is best known as a primary presenter of Top Gear. He had a successful YouTube series, Chris Harris on Cars, which was later moved to the Top Gear website. Chris is also a major contributor to auto magazines such as Evo and Autocar.
Birthdate: October 2, 1904
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Berkhamsted, England
Died: April 3, 1991
English author Henry Graham Greene, better known as Graham Greene, is remembered for his pathbreaking Catholic novels and thrillers. He was shortlisted for the Nobel Prize in Literature. His works include The Third Man and The Human Factor, and his Academy Award-nominated script of the film The Fallen Idol.
Birthdate: March 9, 1987
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Luton, Bedfordshire, England
Investigative journalist Stacey Dooley is best known for presenting socially relevant BBC documentaries with themes such as child labor and gender equality. Some of her notable works are Blood, Sweat and T-shirts and the series Stacey Dooley Investigates. The MBE recipient has also won the reality contest Strictly Come Dancing.
19
Jill Wendy Dando
(Journalist)
Birthdate: November 9, 1961
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Weston-super-Mare, England
Died: April 26, 1999
20
Carol Thatcher
(Journalist)
Birthdate: August 15, 1953
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: London
21
Fearne Cotton
(English Author and Broadcaster)
Birthdate: September 3, 1981
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Northwood
Fearne Cotton is an English author and broadcaster. She achieved popularity in the late-1990s, when she started presenting children's TV shows for channels like CBBC, CITV, and GMTV. Over the course of her career, Fearne Cotton has also presented popular TV shows like Top of the Pops and The Xtra Factor. She also supports numerous charities including Macmillan Cancer Support.
Birthdate: December 10, 1970
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Croydon, London, England
Journalist and anchor Susanna Reid is best known for co-presenting BBC Breakfast. She also ended up as the runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013. She has appeared as the main host of shows such as Sunday Morning Live and Good Morning Britain, and is associated with Media Trust.
23
Douglas Murray
(writer, journalist)
Birthdate: July 16, 1979
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Scotland
24
Richard Coles
(Journalist, Radio personality)
Birthdate: March 26, 1962
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Northampton
25
Kate Garraway
(Journalist)
Birthdate: May 4, 1967
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England, UK
Birthdate: August 2, 1950
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Edinburgh, Scotland
Scottish author Graham Hancock spent his initial years in India, where his father was a surgeon. He later moved back to the UK and worked as a journalist for publications such as The Guardian and The Times. He is known to propagate pseudo-scientific theories through his books such as Underworld and Supernatural.
Birthdate: January 12, 1933
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: London, England
28
Peter Hitchens
(Journalist, Writer)
Birthdate: October 28, 1951
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Sliema
29
Lady Gabriella Windsor
(Journalist)
Birthdate: April 23, 1981
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: St. Mary's Hospital
Lady Gabriella Windsor is an English writer and one of the members of the British royal family. A freelance journalist, Lady Gabriella contributes immensely to several publications, including The London Magazine. A humanist, she also works closely with the nonprofit organization Playing for Change Foundation where she is a board director.
Birthdate: February 8, 1964
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Marylebone, London, England
Fashion and makeover expert Trinny Woodall, founder of the makeup brand Trinny London, began her career as a marketing expert and then wrote fashion columns for The Daily Telegraph. She has co-hosted What Not to Wear with Susannah Constantine, has co-written several bestselling fashion books, and launched a sleepwear line.
Birthdate: May 15, 1968
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Redhill
32
Emily Maitlis(British Journalist, Documentary Filmmaker and Lead Anchor of the BBC Two News and Current Affairs Programme ‘Newsnight’)
Birthdate: September 6, 1970
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
British journalist, documentary filmmaker, and newsreader Emily Maitlis is currently the lead anchor of BBC Two's news and current affairs program Newsnight. An alumnus of the Queens' College, Cambridge, she began her career as a documentary filmmaker before moving to broadcast journalism. She built a successful career, becoming one of the highest-paid BBC news and current affairs staff.
33
Adrian Chiles
(Television presenter)
Birthdate: March 21, 1967
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Hagley, Worcestershire, England, UK
34
Kate Silverton
(Journalist)
Birthdate: August 4, 1970
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Waltham Abbey, Essex, England
35
Jon Snow
(journalist, television presenter)
Birthdate: September 28, 1947
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Ardingly
36
Melanie Sykes
(TV Presenter)
Birthdate: August 7, 1970
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, England
37
Ian Hislop
(Screenwriter, Journalist, Editor, Writer)
Birthdate: July 13, 1960
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Swansea
Ian Hislop is a satirist, journalist, broadcaster, writer, and editor of a magazine called Private Eye. A popular figure, Hislop has appeared in many television and radio shows over the years. Hislop is renowned for his work in the TV show Have I Got News for You where he has been a team captain since the show's inception in 1990.
38
Alfred Douglas(British Poet, Journalist and Lover of Irish Poet Oscar Wilde)
Birthdate: October 22, 1870
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Powick, Worcestershire, England
Died: March 20, 1945
Alfred Douglas was an English journalist and poet best remembered as one of the lovers of famous Irish poet Oscar Wilde. Douglas played an important role in Wilde's imprisonment for homosexuality. Alfred Douglas' father John Sholto Douglas abhorred his son's relationship with the Irish poet and publicly accused the latter of homosexuality, which was illegal at that time.
Birthdate: July 10, 1954
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: North Shields, Tyne-and-Wear, England, UK
Birthdate: January 12, 1958
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: London, England
British-Iranian journalist Christiane Amanpour is best known as the anchor of the CNN interview show Amanpour. She has also hosted PBS’s Amanpour & Company. She was criticized for her biased and pro-Muslim coverage of the Bosnian War. She has also been a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Freedom of Expression.
41
John Peel
(Journalist, Radio personality, Disc jockey, Author, Record producer)
Birthdate: August 30, 1939
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Heswall
Died: October 25, 2004
42
Paula Yates
(Television presenter)
Birthdate: April 24, 1959
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Colwyn Bay, Wales
Died: September 17, 2000
43
Anna Soubry(British Barrister, Journalist and Member of Parliament for Broxtowe (2010 - 2019))
Birthdate: December 7, 1956
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England
Anna Soubry is a British journalist, barrister, and former politician. A vocal critic of Brexit, Soubry left the Conservative Party in February 2019 in order to join the Independent Group for Change (Change UK). Subsequently, Anna Soubry was appointed as the party's leader before the disbandment of Change UK following the party's failure at the December 2019 general election.
44
Sara Cox
(Presenter, Disc jockey, Journalist)
Birthdate: December 13, 1974
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bolton
45
Clare Balding
(Television presenter, Journalist, Autobiographer)
Birthdate: January 29, 1971
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Kingsclere, England
46
Jeremy Paxman
(Journalist, Television presenter, Writer, Radio personality)
Birthdate: May 11, 1950
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Leeds
Birthdate: May 17, 1965
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Epsom
Jeremy Vine is an English journalist, broadcaster, and presenter. Since 2003, he has been hosting and contributing to the success of BBC Radio 2's lunchtime program. In 2005 and 2011, he was adjudged Speech Broadcaster of the Year at the Sony Awards.
48
Victoria Derbyshire
(Journalist)
Birthdate: October 2, 1968
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Ramsbottom
49
Jon Ronson
(Journalist, Writer, Screenwriter, Documentary filmmaker, Radio personality)
Birthdate: May 10, 1967
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Cardiff
Birthdate: August 4, 1969
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: London, England