Chris Tarrant's Biography

Who is Chris Tarrant?

Chris Tarrant, whose full name is Christopher John Tarrant, was born on 10 October 1946 in Reading. His father was a major, who had been awarded the MC.

He studied at King's School, Worcester and the University of Birmingham.

Before entering television, Chris Tarrant was a long-distance lorry driver, a security officer, and a school teacher.

After a stint on ATV Today, Chris Tarrant wrote, presented and produced the cult show Tiswas from 1974 to 1982. It was in theory a children's show, but appealed to the childish side of adults and was co-presented by Sally James and Lenny Henry.

It led to the controversial show OTT. Further credits included Everybody's Equal, Tarrant on Television, Lose a Million, Pop Quiz, Man o Man, and the incredibly successful Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

From 1987-2004 Tarrant presented the very popular breakfast show on Capital Radio.

Chris Tarrant's awards are numerous and include Sony Radio Awards: Radio Personality of the Year in 1990, a Lifetime Achievement Award, ITV in 2000, and the CBE in 2004.

Chris Tarrant is a keen angler who was made President of the Anglers' Conservation Society in 2002.

After his first marriage ended in divorce, Chris Tarrant married Ingrid Dupre.

In October 2006 Chris Tarrant had a suspected heart flutter but was given the all-clear. His spokesman believed that Tarrant may have had a panic attack following the break-up of his marriage.

In April 2008, Chris Tarrant and Ingrid reached an "amicable" divorce settlement, having been granted a speedy divorce in February 2007.

The BBC stated:

"It has been reported Mrs Tarrant will receive around half of her husband's estimated £25m fortune - a £5.5m cash sum, plus property worth £6m."

In May 2007, Chris Tarrant was arrested after allegedly injuring a fellow diner with a piece of cutlery at an Indian restaurant. Tarrant dismissed the alleged assault as 'utter nonsense'.

After he was officially cautioned by police for common assault, Tarrant said:

"I am very pleased that the police have handled the matter so efficiently, recognising that there was never any malice on my part, just a bit of amiable horseplay. I am glad that no charge has been brought against me and I can now put this over-inflated affair behind me."

In November 2007, Chris Tarrant started presenting The Great Pretender on ITV1.

In October 2008, it was revealed that Chris Tarrant was to host a prime-time quiz show on ITV1 called The Colour of Money. The show started in February 2009.

In March 2014, Chris Tarrant suffered a "mini-stroke" while flying from Bangkok to London.

His other credits include hosting Chris Tarrant's Extreme Railway Journeys for Channel Five.

In January 2018, he pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was banned from driving.

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