Des Lynam

Desmond Michael "Des" Lynam, OBE (17 September 1942) is an Irish-born British television and radio presenter based in the UK. In a broadcasting career spanning more than 40 years, he has hosted television coverage of many of the world's major sporting events, presenting Grandstand, Match of the Day, Wimbledon, The Grand National, Sportsnight, the Football World Cup and the Olympic Games, as well as presenting other non-sporting programmes such as Holiday, How Do They Do That? and Countdown. He also presented programmes on BBC Radio.

Early years

Desmond Michael Lynam was born in Ennis, County Clare in Ireland, and moved with his family to Brighton, England, at the age of six. He recalled having a strong Irish accent at the time, but eventually lost it. He passed the eleven-plus in 1954, to attend Varndean Grammar School. After sitting his A-levels, he went into the insurance business.

Broadcasting career

1968–1999

Lynam started his career in broadcasting as a freelance radio journalist, on BBC Radio Brighton (1968–1969). He quickly joined national BBC radio in London and went on to anchor Sport on Two and Sports Report (1969–1978) on BBC Radio 2. From 1974–1976 he co-presented the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 on three mornings each week. He was also the radio boxing commentator for 20 years.