Melvyn Bragg Biography- Melvyn Bragg, Baron Bragg, CH, HonFRS, FRSL, FBA born October 6, 1939 is a British broadcaster, author, and politician. He is the editor and presenter of The South Bank Show (1978-2010, 2012-2023), as well as the BBC Radio 4 documentary series, In Our Time. Earlier in his career, Bragg worked for the BBC in a variety of capacities, including presenter, a link that was renewed in 1988 when he began hosting Start the Week on BBC Radio 4. Following his ennoblement in 1998, he transitioned to presenting the new In Our Time, an academic debate radio program that has over a thousand aired episodes and is also a podcast. From 1999 to 2017, he served as Chancellor of the University of Leeds.
Melvyn Bragg Biography 2025
Melvyn Bragg, Baron Bragg, CH, HonFRS, FRSL, FBA is an English broadcaster, author and parliamentarian. He is the editor and presenter of The South Bank Show, and the presenter of the BBC Radio 4 documentary series In Our Time.
Born: 6 October 1939 (age 84 years), Carlisle, United Kingdom
Spouse: Catherine Mary Haste (m. 1973–2018), Marie-Elisabeth Roche (m. 1961–1971)
Children: Tom Bragg, Marie-Elsa Bragg, Alice Bragg
Education: The Nelson Thomlinson School, Wadham College
Awards: BAFTA Fellowship, MORE
Melvyn Bragg Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
6 October 1939 (age 84)
Carlisle, Cumberland, England
|
| Alma mater |
Wadham College, Oxford |
| Occupations |
- Broadcaster
- presenter
- interviewer
- commentator
- novelist
- screenwriter
|
| Years active |
1961–present |
| Notable work |
In Our Time |
| Television |
The South Bank Show |
| Political party |
Labour |
| Spouses |
Marie-Elisabeth Roche
Gabriel Clare-Hunt
(m. 2019)
|
| Children |
3; including Marie-Elsa |
| Category |
Lifestyle |
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Early life
Bragg was born in Carlisle on October 6, 1939, as the son of Stanley Bragg, a stock keeper turned publican, and Mary Ethel (née Park), who worked with her husband in the pub. The Braggs and Parks families of Cumberland were both farm labourers who also worked in collieries and in domestic service. His mother gave him the name Melvyn after seeing actor Melvyn Douglas at a nearby cinema. He grew up in the little town of Wigton, where he attended Wigton Primary School and then The Nelson Thomlinson Grammar School, where he was Head Boy. He was an only kid, born a year after his parents’ wedding. His father was away from home for four years, serving with the Royal Air Force.
As a child, he was raised to believe that his mother’s foster mother was also his maternal grandmother. His grandmother was compelled to leave town due to the stigma associated with her daughter’s illegitimate birth. From the age of eight until he departed for university, his family lived above the Black-A-Moor Hotel, a pub in Wigton that his father had become the landlord of. In his teens, he joined the Scouts and played rugby for his school’s first team.
Melvyn Bragg on Gary Lineker’s BBC Salary: A Cause for Concern?
Veteran broadcaster Melvyn Bragg has expressed concern over Gary Lineker’s £1.3 million salary, stating that it leaves the BBC open for criticism regarding how it spends license fee money. Bragg, who hosts the show In Our Time, shared his views on the disparity between his salary and Lineker’s, even though both shows attract similar audiences.
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Melvyn Bragg’s Views on Gary Lineker’s Salary
Bragg believes that Lineker’s high salary is disproportionate to the audience size and the effort put into his shows. Lineker, the host of Match of the Day, has been the highest-paid BBC talent for six consecutive years, earning over £1.3 million.
| Melvyn Bragg |
Details |
| Gary Lineker’s Salary |
£1.35 million |
| Melvyn Bragg’s Salary |
27 times less than Lineker’s |
| Show Comparison |
Similar audience sizes |
Melvyn Bragg’s Net Worth in 2025
As of 2025, Melvyn Bragg’s estimated net worth is around £1 million.
| Melvyn Bragg |
Net Worth |
| Melvyn Bragg’s Net Worth |
£1 Million |
| Primary Income Source |
Broadcasting |
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Melvyn Bragg on the BBC’s Future
Bragg warned that the BBC’s spending on high-profile salaries could be a target for future criticism. He believes that the disparity in salaries, especially for figures like Lineker, might prompt attacks on the BBC’s financial management.
| Concern |
Details |
| BBC Spending |
High salaries for top talent |
| Potential Criticism |
Public questioning of license fee usage |
Melvyn Bragg’s Critique of News Broadcasters’ Salaries
In addition to his comments about Lineker, Bragg also questioned the high salaries paid to news broadcasters who, in his view, are overpaid for simply reading from Autocues.
| Melvyn Bragg |
Details |
| News Broadcaster Salaries |
Viewed as overly high by Bragg |
| Example Mentioned |
Huw Edwards (Top newsreader) |
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Melvyn Bragg’s Career and Influence
Bragg is a respected figure in British broadcasting, with a career spanning decades. His show In Our Time remains popular, and he continues to provide insightful commentary on cultural and media issues.
| Career Highlights |
Details |
| Notable Show |
In Our Time |
| Broadcasting Career |
Over 50 years |
