BIOGRAPHY

Born 1950. Grew up on hill farm in Derbyshire with no television.
Educated at Birmingham University: BA [with Hons.]
Brief spells as teacher and night-club DJ. 

1978-86: presenter on BBC’s ‘Blue Peter’ programme.
Looked after programme’s dog, Goldie.
Travelled all over world: flew into war-torn Cambodia following overthrow of Khmer Rouge in1979.
Covered famine in Ethiopia in 1984.
Interviewed Prince Charles and Sir Bob Geldof, flew upside down in a jet at 30,000 feet and trod the boards as a pantomime dame.
Famous ‘gaffe’ – whilst describing two cathedral door knockers – ‘What a beautiful pair of knockers!’

1987 –  to present : formed own production company, following a chance meeting with controversial film director Ken Russell in a Chinese restaurant.
Simon’s most notable productions include: ‘Angels and Devils’ [producer/presenter]: a profile of Ken Russell, which involved filming with naked ladies at Elstree studios [a hard job but somebody has to do it!] and:
‘A Steamy Affair: the story of the Flying Scotsman’ [producer, presenter, writer]
– both received wide acclaim when shown on Channel 4 TV.

Simon has also presented and produced documentaries for BBC Radio 4 including:
‘George Oliver: a Man for all Seasons’, the story of a Bedfordshire Gamekeeper, and:
‘Peak Park Pressures’, a study of Tourism.
In 2005 Simon returned to Cambodia to present two 30 minute documentaries for BBC Radio 4
which were nominated for a Sony Award.

Corporate:
Learn-Direct
NHS
Thomas Cook
BAE Systems
Agri Lloyd
Amber Valley Borough Council
Whitbread

Network TV Commercial:
‘Holiday Claim Line’  client: CS2 Lawyers.

Voice-Overs:
Numerous, including:
Jaguar Cars
Royal Bank of Scotlland

Simon’s After-Dinner Speeches are a unique blend of classic studio moments from his 8 years on ‘Blue Peter’ film stories from around the world – Japan, America, Australia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Canada; working with the likes of Ken Russell and earthy anecdotes from the world of farming.

Other fields of work include Pantomime and Hosting Concerts and Award Ceremonies.

Simon and his wife Gilly live in an Elizabethan farm house, which is frequently used as a film location, in Derbyshire.
They have a working farm where they breed Suffolk sheep and also have a thriving B&B business.

Simon’s hobbies are: music [rock, pop and classical], film, classic cars and supporting Derby County FC.