Chris was an Anglia Television continuity announcer (1963) and programme presenter who went on to front popular children’s shows such as Clapperboard (ITV), holiday must-see show Wish You Were Here? (ITV, 1976 – 1987) and gastronaut’s bible, Food and Drink (BBC).
Chris was born in Cuddington, Cheshire. He graduated from Cambridge University and had a brief spell teaching French. In 1963, he joined Anglia Television as a continuity announcer. He only did this for three months, before he moved into the newsroom and became the presenter of the evening magazine show.
He got a call from Michael Apted, a friend from Cambridge days, who was looking for a replacement for Michael Parkinson on Granada TV’s nightly news programme Scene at Six. He joined and worked alongside Bob Greaves and Mike Scott.
As well as co-presenting World in Action for a season, he was the programme’s principal off-screen narrator for many years.
He presented the following children’s programmes on the ITV network:
- Junior Criss Cross Quiz (Granada TV, 14th February – July 1963)
- Go! (20th December 1965);
- Sixth Form Challenge (1966 – 1967);
- Zoo Time (Granada TV, 1967);
- Compére on Anything You Can Do (1970 – 1974);
- Kellyvision (Tyne Tees, 1988).
He is best known for long presenting stints on three series, over three decades:
- Clapperboard (Granada TV/ITV, 1972 – 1982). Children’s film show;
- Wish You Were Here…? (Thames TV/ITV, 1976 – 1987). Holiday and travel series;
- Food and Drink (BBC Two, 1984 – 1999). Gastronaut’s bible.
Other TV credits include:
- Narrator on Politics: What’s It All About? (1978 and 1981);
- Panellist on Give Us a Clue;
- Panellist What’s My Line?;
- Panellist Where in the World;
- Panellist on Top Secret (1982 – 1983);
- Panellist on I’ve Got a Secret (1984).
- Quisine (1996 – 1998).
Chris also worked extensively for regionally based TV companies, including Anglia TV, where he wrote and presented an arts programme Folio (1980).
At Tyne Tees TV, he co-presented the first regular ninety-minute live programme on British television, Friday Live.
On radio he presented a series called Eat Drink and Be Silly on BBC Radio 4 (1991).
He moved behind the camera and following the success of The Zero Option, a two-hour screenplay he originated and co-wrote for Central, he created and wrote two episodes in the thirteen-part series Saracen (1989).
He produced series one and two of Soldier, Soldier for Central TV (1991 – 1992); the first of which won the gold award for best drama series at the 1992 Houston International Film Festival.
His career as a TV producer also included:
- Kavanagh QC (1995 – 1998);
- Monsignor Renard (2000);
- Without Motive (2000);
- A Line in the Sand (2004).
He is the former owner of the Midsummer House restaurant in Cambridge.
Chris has also written several books: The Telebook, Kellyvision (winner silver medal, New York Festival of Film and Television); four novels: The War of Covent Garden, Forest of the Night, Taking Leave and A Suit of Lights.
Personal information
Clips of Chris on The TV Room
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Online presence
Acknowledgements
PICTURED: Chris Kelly. SUPPLIED BY: Paul R. Jackson. COPYRIGHT: Unknown.
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