Crispin began his broadcasting career as a sports reporter and presenter for BBC Radio Norfolk. He went on to become one of the few younger male announcers on BBC One: announcing everything from the news to Strictly Come Dancing (1998 – 2001). He moved to BBC Radio 1 as a producer, working on the following programmes: the Scott Mills early morning show; The Jamie Theakston Show (Saturday mornings); Dance Anthems with Dave Pearce (2001 – 2003).
Crispin moved into TV production with the following producer credits: Trisha (Channel 5, 2004 – 2005); The Paul O’Grady Show (ITV, 2005 – 2006); The Sharon Osborne Show (ITV, 2006); Fortune: Million Pound Giveaway (ITV); Blue Peter (CBBC, 2007); This Morning (ITV); Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two (BBC, 2007); The Alan Titchmarsh Show (ITV, 2008); Richard Hammond’s Blast Lab (CBBC); Noel’s HQ (Sky 1, 2008 – 2009); The One Show (BBC, 2009 – 2011); Crimewatch Roadshow (BBC, 2009 – 2011); Race for Life (Sky 1, 2010); One Born at Christmas (BAFTA award-winning show for Shine TV, 2010 – 2011); The Vanessa Show (Channel 5); The Wright Stuff (Channel 5); The Royal Wedding (ITV) – live producer in London working on the coverage for TLC America.
Crispin was international formats producer, BBC Worldwide (2011 – 2013). Since 2013, he has been international production executive at Sony Pictures Entertainment which sees him travel the world developing formats including: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?; Dragons’ Den; Shark Tank; Grillmaster; Brainiest; Mr and Mrs; Draw Something.
Interview
Paul R. Jackson met Crispin in London in November 2017.
How did you get involved in TV presentation?
“I answered an advert in The Guardian and had to do five links from the Radio Times, then an interview, and got selected. On my first visit to TV Centre, I saw Peter Offer in NTA (network transmission area) doing a voiceover and it gave me goosebumps.”
Any memorable on-air moments?
“I recall during Wimbledon – it went down for 10 minutes and I covered; and during a World Cup/Euro football game the back-up generator at TV Centre didn’t go on, so I and a pres editor got into a car and drove to Birmingham (which was the official back-up for London in event of emergencies) and I did the live links from there. I was on duty when a bomb believed to be planted by the Real IRA exploded (12.30am on 4th March 2001) at the front of TV Centre, but we carried on broadcasting with no mention on air.
“I was told off once by Anne Robinson. I had called her ‘Annie’ in a link and word got back to me that she was not happy! The hardest link to do was the Saturday night lottery draw, as you were reading the numbers and had the director counting down in your ear. My favourite shift was the Saturday BBC One daytime shift during Grandstand – I could sit and watch for five hours all the internal monitors for each studio and they included rehearsals for Noel’s House Party – and that gave me my love of TV production which I later moved into.”
Personal information
Clips of Crispin on The TV Room
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Online presence
Acknowledgements
PICTURED: Crispin Clover. SUPPLIED BY: Crispin Clover. COPYRIGHT: Crispin Clover.
Hi Chris. Lovely to know that you’ve done so well in your career. I remember you from your days at BBC radio Norfolk. I used to be on reception. I’m Sandie.
I left the BBC 21 years ago, supposed to have retired but with the farm you never do. Well done.
Sandie Vincent.