The BBC describes Gyles Brandreth as a man with “fingers in more pies than most of us could hope to eat.” A former MP and minister in John Major’s government; Gyles has written biographies, diaries, novels and stage plays; he’s starred in his own West End revue; he is a successful broadcaster and accomplished speaker; and in his spare time he set up a teddy-bear museum and started the UK Scrabble Competition. The motto, he says, that guided him through all this, is “don’t dabble.”
Currently a reporter on The One Show and a regular on Radio 4’s Just a Minute, with his acclaimed Victorian detective murder mysteries published in 21 separate countries and his nationwide speeches inspiring youngsters, he is a truly wonderful enigma. Gyles, who once held the world record for the longest ever on-screen kiss, spoke to me about his loves, hates, and everything in between.
I started by asking about his election as president of Oxford University Union and involvement with the student newspaper, Isis. Did he make a conscious effort to reach ‘top spot’ during his time at Oxford, or was it just that he enjoyed writing and politics a great deal?
“When I arrived at Oxford, I had three ambitions. I wanted to be President of the Union; I wanted to edit Isis; and I wanted to direct the OUDS.” Motivated, then.
“Simply because I was determined, I seem to have managed all three. I don’t know that I made myself much loved in the process, but I had fun. I thought these were the things to do at Oxford because they had been when my father was there in the late 1920s. Forty years on, I was following his agenda.
“While everyone else was enjoying the Swinging Sixties, I was still living in the Roaring Twenties,” he said.
So what came after University? A career of writing and politics, but did he ever find life harsh and challenging? “I don’t think anything I do could ever be described as ‘tough’,” he said. “Being on Just A Minute is quite nerve-wracking sometimes. And producing plays is a nightmare – I have produced several and they have all lost money.” But, he told me, he has “enjoyed everything.”
“Being an MP and in the Government Whips Office was fascinating, worthwhile and challenging. I love being a reporter on The One Show because of the immense range of stories I am sent to cover and the variety of people I meet. I get a lot of satisfaction writing my Oscar Wilde murder mysteries because the books enable me to ‘live’ in late Victorian London – and nowhere is more intriguing. Wilde knew everybody – and through him I have got to know everyone from Pope Pius IX to Bram Stoker, a great privilege.”
The flamboyant broadcaster and author, who kept his marriage a secret from his parents for two years because he regarded it as a purely private matter between him and his wife, has appeared on Countdown over 300 times in Dictionary Corner and has written a book – The Joy of Lex – which is all about words.
“Language is power – it’s what defines us,” he said. “I find language is everything. And we are so blessed in Britain that English is our parent tongue. I love words, so I have always found Countdown fun. I founded the National Scrabble Championships forty years ago, and currently I host a word game on Radio 4 called Wordaholics, so playing with language has been part of my life all my life. ‘Yex’ is my favourite word … But I am quite fond of ‘brandreth’ too.”
He introduced the 1994 Marriage Act during his time as MP for Chester, which allows marriages to be carried out in certain “approved premises.” I asked why this was an important issue for him, and whether any personal religious beliefs influenced this particular proposal.
“The Marriage Act came about because Mrs Graybill, a constituent of mine, had a castle and wanted to be allowed to have marriages take place at her castle. It seemed wrong that civil weddings could only happen in rather dreary register offices. The Act is perhaps my one ‘achievement’ – and I am proud of it. For people of faith, a church wedding is wonderful, but it’s good that people who don’t have a faith can be married in a memorable setting.
“But I have to say,” he continued, “when my darling wife heard people describe me at the time as an ‘expert’ on marriage… she virtually fell off her bunk.”
I questioned what his role of Government whip involved, and if it differed from being just an ‘average’ MP. “It was the happiest moment of my life, being a whip,” he replied.
“The Whips are the people who ensure that the government of the day secures its business. It was a job that I found totally absorbing because it’s about politics and people – and understanding and managing people.
“‘Breaking the Code’ is my diary of my time as an MP and Whip and people say, very generously, that it’s the best account of the reality of life as a back-bencher and government whip.”
But it wasn’t all wonderful, he joked: “When I was an MP the one thing I just couldn’t stand was my constituents. Every Friday afternoon, there they were, the miserable old so-and-sos lining up to tell me how dreadful life was.”
Gyles lost his seat in 1997 as Blair rampantly came to power. His wife then told him he could do “anything he wanted” and later, I discovered, he became a European Monopoly champion and President of the Association of British Scrabble Players. Gyles’ quirky, charismatic personality became even more intriguing. What is his favourite board game, I asked, and what on earth made him get formally involved with these institutions?
“My father bought the first game of Monopoly sold in Britain in 1936 – and met my mother playing it.” Now that’s something to tell the grandchildren. “I learnt Scrabble when I was a boy and used to play with an old gentleman who had been a friend and contemporary of Oscar Wilde. I also enjoy Bridge and Backgammon. And Snap and Beggar My Neighbour. And Squeak Piggy Squeak…” The list could go on and on.
The man is obviously very arty, and ranks Chekov and Redgrave among his idols. But his buoyant and self-assured charm clashes with his more reserved, private character: “Out there I’m precarious, but in here I’m a quiet person,” he said.
I then asked Gyles if he is a royalist, and if so why? Gyles is known for being Prince Philip’s only admirer, and so I asked just what about the whole system he finds appealing. “It’s a curious system,” he began. “But then again it’s very adaptable and has been with us for a thousand years and more.
“The Queen, driven by duty and sustained by faith, is a remarkable person, a model of public service, and I like the fact that we simply get as Head of State the natural successor of the last one.
“The very eccentricity of it appeals to me. It’s like parliamentary democracy – not without its drawbacks. But, on the whole, it’s the best system we’ve got.”
Gyles’s comedic personality, and the fact that Eddie Izzard is seeking nomination as the Labour candidate for London’s mayoral election, while Boris Johnson currently represents the capital – led me to ask whether Gyles thinks there is now more room for comedy in politics.
“Comedians are people, too. Eddie Izzard is highly intelligent and articulate – and committed. We need more people of his calibre and commitment in politics. Comedians, farmers, soldiers, teachers, entrepreneurs, train drivers – we need all human life in politics.”
But Gyles’ comedic input has stretched far and wide, with the sage frequently appearing on Just A Minute.
“I wish I were better at it!” Giles chuckled. “I love the programme and have been doing it off and on since the early 1980s. What I like most about it is the fact that it’s unedited: it’s just a minute – you can’t edit it: what you hear is what they got.
“And I love Nicholas Parsons, whom I first met when I was President of the Oxford Union in 1969. He seemed incredibly old to me then. Now he’s nearly 90 and he seems younger than springtime.” And that was that.
But wait… “Given your splendid name, I hope you get a chance to discover my Oscar Wilde murder mysteries,” he cheekily suggested. I told him that as soon as this dreadful student loan is paid off I will be able to afford his collection, much to his disgruntlement. “If we wait until the student loan is paid off we may wait thirty years!” he replied. Wow, thanks for that vote of confidence, Gyles. “BORROW the books from the library – for free!” he said, and with that I hastily journeyed to the JB Morrell. And you know what? They are bloody good.
The video interview above is Oscar’s Chat Politics chat with Gyles.