Clive Myrie, BBC chief news presenter and Mastermind host
Clive Myrie is one of the BBC’s most recognisable faces, known for anchoring news bulletins and hosting Mastermind. Born on 25 August 1964 in Bolton, Lancashire, he studied law at the University of Sussex before joining the BBC’s journalism trainee scheme. Over three decades, he has reported from more than 80 countries, covering conflicts from the Balkans to Iraq and US presidential elections.
Myrie’s calm, authoritative delivery has made him a trusted presence in British broadcasting. In 2021 he took over as host of Mastermind and Celebrity Mastermind, and in 2024 he was appointed Chancellor of the University of the Arts London. His memoir, Everything is Everything, published in 2023, explores his family history and identity.
Who is Clive Myrie’s wife?
Clive Myrie is married to Catherine Myrie. The couple met at a book launch in 1992 and married in 1998. Catherine has been described in different sources as an upholsterer and furniture restorer, and also as someone who previously worked in publishing. Myrie has said she gave him “the courage and space” to pursue his dreams.
Key insights
- Myrie is a BBC chief news presenter with over 30 years as a foreign correspondent.
- He grew up in Bolton, Lancashire, to Jamaican immigrant parents.
- He studied law at Sussex before joining the BBC in 1988.
- He is married to Catherine Myrie; they met in 1992.
- He has no publicly confirmed children – sources indicate he and his wife gave up on having children.
- His height and religious affiliation are frequently searched but lack official confirmation.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Clive Augustus Myrie |
| Birth | 25 August 1964, Bolton, Lancashire, England |
| Education | University of Sussex (LLB Law) |
| Career Start | BBC journalism trainee scheme in 1988 |
| Spouse | Catherine Myrie (m. 1998) |
| Children | Not publicly confirmed |
| Notable Role | BBC chief news presenter, foreign correspondent, Mastermind host |
| Awards | Multiple including Royal Television Society awards |
| Chancellor | University of the Arts London (2024) |
What is Clive Myrie’s illness?
Despite widespread online searches about Clive Myrie’s health, no publicly reported illness or specific medical condition has been confirmed in reliable sources. Some mentions of neck surgery appear in forums and speculation, but official biographies, Wikipedia, and trusted interview sources do not include details of any surgery or ongoing health issues.
Claims about neck surgery or a specific illness cannot be attributed to any authoritative source. Available evidence does not support these assertions.
Myrie has not publicly discussed any health problems, and no major news organisation has reported on the matter. The absence of information likely explains the persistent curiosity.
What are Clive Myrie’s age, height, and religion?
Age
Clive Myrie was born on 25 August 1964, making him 60 years old in 2025 and 61 in 2026. He grew up in Bolton and attended Hayward Grammar School and Bolton Sixth Form College before university.
Height
Myrie’s height is not recorded in any official or reliable source. Online guesses often place it around 5’9″, but no verified measurement exists.
Religion
Myrie was raised in the Church of England. Later in life, he discovered through family history that he had been baptised as a Catholic. He has spoken about this journey, but he does not publicly identify with a specific denomination as an adult.
According to an interview with The Catholic Network, Myrie learned of his Catholic baptism through family records, having been brought up in the Church of England.
How did Clive Myrie’s career develop?
- 1964 – Born in Bolton, Lancashire on 25 August.
- 1988 – Graduated from University of Sussex and joined the BBC journalism trainee scheme.
- 1990s – Worked as a BBC foreign correspondent covering conflicts in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
- 2000 – Served as BBC North Africa Correspondent.
- 2009 – Became a regular BBC News Channel presenter.
- 2021 – Took over as host of Mastermind and Celebrity Mastermind.
- 2023 – Published memoir Everything is Everything.
- 2024 – Appointed Chancellor of the University of the Arts London.
What is confirmed and what is uncertain about Clive Myrie?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Born 25 August 1964 in Bolton. | Exact nature of any illness or surgery. |
| Studied law at University of Sussex. | Date and hospital of any medical procedure. |
| Married to Catherine Myrie since 1998. | Religious affiliation as an adult (baptised Catholic, raised C of E). |
| No publicly confirmed children. | Height (no official source). |
| BBC chief news presenter and Mastermind host. | Children’s names, ages, or professions (none confirmed). |
What is Clive Myrie’s role and impact at the BBC?
Myrie is one of the BBC’s most experienced foreign correspondents. His calm, authoritative delivery has earned him a central role in major news events, including the Iraq War, the fall of Baghdad, and the Arab Spring. He has reported from more than 80 countries and covered US presidential campaigns.
In 2021 he became the host of Mastermind, a role that broadened his public profile beyond news. His memoir Everything is Everything (2023) delves into his family history, identity, and the experience of being a black British journalist. He is seen as an important figure for diversity in broadcasting.
What do authoritative sources say about Clive Myrie?
“Clive Augustus Myrie (born 25 August 1964) is a British journalist, newsreader and presenter for the BBC.”
Wikipedia
“Clive was born in Bolton, Lancashire and studied Law at Sussex before gaining a place on the BBC’s prestigious journalism trainee scheme in 1988.”
University of Sussex
“Clive Myrie is a multi award winning journalist, one of the BBC’s most experienced foreign correspondents.”
London Speaker Bureau
What’s next for Clive Myrie?
Myrie continues as BBC chief news presenter and is expected to front major news events. A new BBC documentary series exploring his return to Africa was announced in 2024. He may also expand on his memoir in future projects. For more on other British television personalities, see Brendan Coyle – Biography, Downton Abbey Role and Private Life.
Frequently asked questions about Clive Myrie
Does Clive Myrie have children?
No publicly confirmed children. Sources indicate he and his wife gave up on having children.
Is Clive Myrie married?
Yes, to Catherine Myrie. They married in 1998.
How old is Clive Myrie?
Born 25 August 1964, he is 60 as of 2025.
What is Clive Myrie’s height?
His height is not officially recorded. Online estimates vary.
What religion is Clive Myrie?
He was raised Church of England and later discovered he was baptised Catholic. He does not publicly identify with a specific faith.
Has Clive Myrie had neck surgery?
No reliable source confirms neck surgery or any specific illness.
Where was Clive Myrie born?
Bolton, Lancashire, England.
What did Clive Myrie study at university?
Law (LLB) at the University of Sussex.
When did Clive Myrie start working at the BBC?
He joined the BBC journalism trainee scheme in 1988.
Is Clive Myrie a presenter on Mastermind?
Yes, he has hosted Mastermind and Celebrity Mastermind since 2021.
For more on another well-known TV personality, see Giovanni Pernice – Latest – Tour Scandal and TV Comeback.
Jack Thomas Clarke Thompson is a staff writer for PopCultureDaily.co.uk, covering entertainment news, film, television, streaming and celebrity culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Harriet Winslow and Managing Editor Lucas Bennett, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.