Danny Baker

Danny Baker (born June 22, 1957) is a British comedy writer, radio presenter and former television presenter.

Related Topics:
June 22 - 1957 - British - Comedy - Writer - Radio - Television presenter

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After working with Mark Perry on the punk magazine Sniffing Glue, Danny Baker first came to public attention as a journalist for the British music newspaper the NME.

Related Topics:
Mark Perry - Sniffing Glue - Journalist - NME

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Baker began his radio career on BBC GLR in 1989, presenting Weekend Breakfast from 6-9am on Saturdays & Sundays. His show was followed by Chris Evans on Saturday & Chris Morris on Sundays.

Related Topics:
BBC GLR - 1989 - Chris Evans - Chris Morris

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In 1990, Baker joined the newly launched BBC Radio 5, presenting Sportscall. From October 1991 to October 1992 he presented 606 and from February 1992 until October 1993 he presented Morning Edition from 6.30-9am every weekday morning. This was Baker's heyday - his Morning Edition still stands out in the memory of his fans as one of the funniest and most innovative programmes in the history of British radio.

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Baker then joined Radio 1 in October 1993, taking over the Weekend mid-morning show from 10am-1pm from Dave Lee Travis. However, due to poor ratings, from November 1994 he was heard on Saturdays only from 10am-12midday. Simon Mayo took over Sunday Mornings.

Related Topics:
Radio 1 - 1993 - Dave Lee Travis - 1994 - Simon Mayo

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In addition to this, in 1994 Baker also joined BBC Radio 5 Live presenting editions of the 6.0.6, phone in show on Wednesday evenings & his own series with Danny Kelly, Baker & Kelly Upfront.

Related Topics:
1994 - BBC Radio 5 Live

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Baker was moved to Saturday lunchtime on Radio 1 in late 1995 from 12.30-2.30pm & remained there until he eventually quit the station in September 1996.

Related Topics:
Radio 1 - 1995 - 1996

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In Early 1997 Baker was sacked from BBC Radio 5 Live after having a row live on air with a caller. He ended up insulting the caller and was sacked immediately after his show.

Related Topics:
1997 - BBC Radio 5 Live

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Not long after, Danny joined Talk Radio, presenting a football phone in show on Saturday evenings from 5.30-7.30pm.

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In mid 1998, Baker made a brief return to BBC GLR on Sunday mornings again & in late 1998, he joined Virgin Radio, where he presented a Sunday Morning show from 10am-1pm

Related Topics:
1998 - BBC GLR - Virgin Radio

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Not long after, Baker was approached by the BBC & was asked whether he wanted to present a Saturday Morning show on BBC Radio 2? Baker turned down the offer by saying that 'The Time wasn't Right', so in turn he was offered another slot on Virgin on Saturdays from 12-2pm, in addition to the one he had already.

Related Topics:
BBC - BBC Radio 2

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Baker left Virgin in 2000 & in September 2001 joined BBC London 94.9 presenting a Saturday morning show from 8-11am, & just 6 months later, in March 2002, he took over the Breakfast show from 6-9am, though his last show was on Friday 27th March 2005.

Related Topics:
2000 - 2001 - BBC London 94.9 - 2002

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His radio shows are typically punctuated with lots of talking, Mick McSorley, jokes and anecdotes from Baker.

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On television, Baker's first big break was as reporter/presenter on the LWT regional magazine programme The Six O'Clock Show. Since then he has presented television shows such as Win, Lose, or Draw, TV Heroes and Pets Win Prizes and had his own Saturday night BBC1 talk show "Danny Baker After All". During the late 1990s he also appeared on many comedy shows as a guest, including Have I Got News For You, Shooting Stars and Room 101. At this time he was frequently mentioned in the press as a good friend of Chris Evans. Baker was also a writer on Evans' show TFI Friday, as well as writing for other presenters such as Angus Deayton and Jonathan Ross, and writing a weekly column for The Times. His appearances in television adverts for Daz washing powder and Mars chocolate led to him being considered over-exposed as a media personality.

Related Topics:
LWT - The Six O'Clock Show - Have I Got News For You - Shooting Stars - Room 101 - Chris Evans - TFI Friday - Angus Deayton - Jonathan Ross - The Times

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In the 2000s Baker has maintained a lower profile, presenting BBC London's breakfast radio show each week day. He also appeared on The Terry and Gaby Show from 2003 to 2004 (which will forever be remembered for the infamous moment when he burnt his hand trying to perform a trick with a microwave and a piece of soap) and has appeared on BBC3 quiz show QI. His passions range as widely as punk music, Millwall F.C. and PG Wodehouse.

Related Topics:
2000s - The Terry and Gaby Show - 2003 - 2004 - Punk music - Millwall F.C. - PG Wodehouse

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