Jamie Theakston

Jamie Theakston kicked off his career after he teamed up with co-presenter Zoe Ball in September 1996 on a brash new series of the Saturday morning show ‘Live & Kicking’ on BBC1. It was an instant success, earning a BAFTA award and generating double the amount of viewers of any other Saturday morning show. After three years Jamie decided to move forward and explore other projects.  He landed his first main TV presenting role on BBC2’s ‘The Ozone’ in 1999 after acting as a regular host on ‘Top of the Pops’ in 1998, interviewing stars such as Madonna, David Bowie, Tina Turner, Oasis and the Spice Girls.  In 2000 he was approached by Channel 4 to co-host ‘The Priory with Zoe Ball’ which led to three consecutive and successful series’ and in the process gaining recognition as one of the best live TV presenters in the UK at the time.

Whilst trying turning his hand toward directing and producing, Jamie quickly became a key anchor for the BBC, covering the much hyped Eclipse screening, being the quiz master for ‘A Question Of Pop’ (BBC1’s top rating Saturday night show), and hosting BBC’s ‘Glastonbury’ and ‘The Millennium Show.’  After being invited to launch a weekly two hour radio show on Radio 1 in 2000, Jamie’s radio work developed further in 2001 as he undertook his first regular sports show for BBC Radio Five, quickly gaining high acclaim from ‘The Daily Telegraph’ who documented; “This is the man who has made cricket hip”. Jamie continued his TV work with Channel 4’s ratings winner 100 Greatest Kids Shows, as well as hosting ‘Natural Born Losers’ and a holiday show ‘You Call The Shots’, both for BBC1.

Stage success soon followed in 2002 where Jamie took the lead role of ‘Serge’ in Yasmin Reza’s smash hit play ‘Art’, produced by Sean Connery. Taking on a role previously performed by such theatrical luminaries as Tom Courtney, Nigel Havers and Art Malik, Jamie attracted widespread acclaim for his assured performance. His second theatre project soon followed – playing Frederick Lowndes in Somerset Maugham’s comedy drama ‘Home and Beauty’ at the Lyric Theatre, London which also received rave reviews.

This was the resurgence of a long-held interest for Jamie – he was a member of the National Youth Theatre in his teens until he put aside thoughts of drama school to take his Business Studies degree. More acting offers followed, including a guest appearance in the highly rated BBC1’s comedy/drama, ‘Linda Green’ and in 2003 Jamie filmed his first major acting role for BBC1’s ‘Murder in Mind’.  Theakston also played himself in the mock-interview series ‘Rock Profile’ for UK Play in which he interviewed “celebrities” impersonated by Matt Lucas and David Walliams this also led him to appear alongside Lucas and Walliams in an episode of ‘Little Britain’.

Jamie Theakston provided live coverage of ‘The Oscars’ for Sky, and filmed a second series of ‘The Games’ for Channel 4. He has produced and presented ‘The Search’ for Channel 4, as well as presenting ‘The People’s Quiz’, the ‘Diana Memorial Concert’ and ‘Sport Relief’ for BBC1. In September 2008, he joined World Cup legends and other top celebrities for Soccer Aid at Wembley Stadium, in aid of UNICEF and its partners. In October 2009, he returned to our TV screens alongside Zoe Ball to host the brand new prime-time series ‘Britain’s Best Brain’, produced by Tiger Aspect Productions and GroupM Entertainment for Five.

2018 saw Jamie film his fifth series of Forbidden History for the Yesterday Channel, which he fronted from 2013 to wide acclaim. The programme uncovers the truth behind great historical myths, conspiracy theories, ancient treasures, lost civilisations and war time secrets.

Summary
• Award winning Heart Breakfast Show host.
• LTA Allplay tennis scheme
• South Africa Tourism Adventure Mission Ambassador
• Activia advertising campaign
• Children in Need – BBC1
• Live & Kicking – BBC1
• The Ozone – BBC2
• Top of the Pops – BBC1
• Wish You Were Here – ITV