Patrick was born in Dublin. With five years of theatre behind him, he began his broadcasting career at HTV Wales, as a newsreader and announcer, and became the first Irishman to read the Welsh news in English!
In 1976, he joined Anglia TV as one of the presenters on their regional news programme About Anglia.
He co-hosted The Next Week Show with Katie Glass (July 1978 – December 1978).
Patrick also regularly manned Anglia TV’s continuity desk until 1989. A decade later, he returned to the station to appear on Anglia at Forty.
His television culinary career began on About Anglia, when he asked the programme’s bosses if he could demonstrate to viewers how an Irish coffee should be made.
This turned into a regular slot on the programme – Patrick’s Pantry (c. 1994) – which became the longest-running all-year-round food programme.
This led to him making several food and cookery programmes for Anglia TV, and later for the BBC nationally.
He made regular appearances on the popular BBC TV daytime show Ready, Steady, Cook (1994 – 1999) and contributed to Food and Drink (BBC Two, 1996 and 1997).
In early 2002, Patrick returned to Anglia TV to present Take a Leaf, a new gardening and countryside show, which told viewers how best to grow their own food.
He was a regular lecturer on the QE2 and in New York, where he was able to indulge both his gastronomic and gadget research.
Correspondence
Paul R. Jackson was put in touch with Patrick by former Anglia TV colleague Katie Glass. They corresponded in July 2024 about his career.
Did you train as an actor?
“I began my performing career doing stand-up comedy in the clubs in Northern England, having moved to Sheffield from London for that purpose.
“It was through having a week in 1970 with the Civic Theatre Chesterfield, where they invited me to join the rep company, as by now I was a member of Equity.
“During the off-season summer months, I took the role of company manager at the Shanklin Theatre Isle of Wight.”
How did you get into television and join HTV?
“In 1973 I auditioned with HTV West as a continuity announcer and thus began my life in television in August of that year.
“I was based in Cardiff, from where both HTV West and HTV Wales were transmitted and on one occasion I became the first Irishman to broadcast the Welsh news in English!
“Colleagues were John Mundy and Michael St John. Michael was a colourful character, but very entertaining.
“I recall when he was on duty and the programme broke down. He apologised to the viewers and said ‘Don’t worry. It’s not your fault’.
“He came to my wedding in 1974 and interviewed most of the guests on his portable recorder and later we received a taped copy, which was very nice to have.
“Eventually, I joined Anglia in December 1976, combining continuity and presenting the news magazine About Anglia, from time-to-time.
“Other announcers at Anglia TV during my time there were: Katie Glass, Helen McDermott, Michael Speake, Paul Lavers, Keith Martin, Judi Lines, Caroline Oldrey et al.”
Do you have any mishaps that you recall from your cookery items?
“No major mishaps to report, although I once left the main ingredient of a Patrick’s Pantry recipe at home in the fridge but the local taxi company came through with it just in time!”
What did you do after leaving Anglia TV?
“I left Anglia to join the new Sky TV to present a daily show with Tony Blackburn – Sky by Day. it was sponsored by Silverstone the non-stick coating.
“Three of the shows were live and two were pre-recorded, to enable me to return to Norwich to continue presenting Patrick’s Pantry, plus writing my daily recipe column for The Daily Star.
“A very busy period, which lasted for 18 months, after which I returned to Anglia to produce and present.
“I also presented a weekly music/talk programme on Saturday afternoons for Radio Norfolk, for about 5 years until 2004, when I returned to live in London, where my two children were living having lost my wife on 1st January 2000.”
What have you been doing since leaving television?
“Presently, since 2009, I manage a restored deconsecrated Victorian church in Hampstead, which has a licence for civil weddings: www.ststephenstrust.co.uk.”
Personal information
Clips of Patrick on The TV Room
Patrick may be featured in video/audio clips on our other websites. Click the links below to display a listing (a 404 error will appear if no clips are found):
Online presence
Acknowledgements
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