James Naughtie

James Naughtie

  • Former TODAY Presenter
  • Journalist
  • Awards Host & After Dinner Speaker

James Naughtie is one of the UK's leading radio presenters and news broadcasters, best known for his work on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, which he co-presented for over 20 years. On television, James has been a presenter of the BBC Proms since 1992, and he has also presented opera programmes such as Radio 3's Opera News.

Beginning his career as a journalist in 1975 at the Aberdeen Press & Journal, James moved to the London offices of The Scotsman two years later. In 1981, he began working for The Washington Post, subsequently joining The Guardian in 1984 as its Chief Political Correspondent.

In 1986, James made the move to radio presenting, hosting Radio 4's The Week In Westminster before moving to The World At One. He joined the Today programme as one of its main presenters in 1994. In July 2015, James announced his retirement from regular presenting duties on the programme and became its Special Correspondent, charting the course of constitutional changes at the heart of the UK political debate. This is an area in which James is an acknowledged expert, having anchored BBC radio programmes for every UK election since the 1997 General Election; he has also presented radio programmes on every US presidential election since 1988.

James has also made several acclaimed documentaries for the BBC, including The Power And The Glory - America's Crisis Of Leadership, and an investigation into the United Nations' peace-keeping operations, entitled The Thin Blue Line. In 2012, he presented The New Elizabethans on Radio 4, a programme about notable people during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, including John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Tony Blair, Simon Cowell and last but definitely not least, The Queen herself.

James has written a number of books, including: TheRivals: The Intimate Story Of A Political Marriage, The Accidental American: Tony Blair And The Presidency, The Making Of Music, The New Elizabethans and The Madness Of July.

With his distinctive Scottish accent, James was named The Best Voice To Wake Up To in a comparative survey. Amongst other accolades, he was voted Sony Radio Awards Radio Personality Of The Year in 1991 and also won The Voice Of The Listener & Viewer Award in 2001.

With his years of experience as a presenter and broadcaster, James is the perfect choice as an After-dinner Speaker, Awards Host and Conference Facilitator. To book him, contact a Prime Performers Booking Agent via the online booking enquiry form or alternatively call us on 020 3500 3331 to discuss your requirements.

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