Colin Brazier

Colin Brazier (born 28 March 1968) is an English journalist, having previously worked for GB News between 2021 and 2022, and Sky News between 1997 and 2021. He presented ''Sky News Today'' on the channel alongside Jayne Secker since September 2014, but he presented a number of other programmes on the channel. Between 2005 and 2011, Brazier presented '' Saturday Live'' on the channel. In September 2022, in a shakeup of the GB News schedule, it was announced that his show, ''Brazier'', was to be replaced and Brazier himself was to leave the channel.

Early life

Born in Bradford, Brazier was brought up by his mother, a nurse. Estranged from his father for most of his childhood, Brazier used the surname Eshellby until he and his father were reconciled. In 1985, Brazier was present at the Bradford City stadium fire. Under the name Colin Eshellby, he studied English literature at Cardiff University, where he was also elected to serve for a year as Communications Officer at Cardiff University Students' Union. He then trained as a journalist at ''The Northern Echo'' and the ''Yorkshire Post'', and briefly worked at ''The Observer''.

Broadcasting career

Brazier worked at the BBC, then ITV. He joined Sky News in 1997. His postings at Sky included politics, the Royal Family and several foreign postings, in addition to anchoring studio coverage. He was the first British journalist to enter Iraq with coalition troops during the 2003 invasion, Brazier's documentary, ''Brothers in Baghdad'', was later shortlisted at the 48th Monte-Carlo Television Festival.

In December 2004, Brazier was alleged to have assaulted his producer, Julian Morrison, after an argument following a staff Christmas party in Brussels. Morrison went to hospital, having suffered a broken nose and damaged teeth, and was off work for several days. Brazier was recalled to London following the incident.

Brazier was the first journalist to enter Southern Lebanon with Israeli forces in 2006. In 2009 he conducted one of the final interviews given by the dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Brazier wrote an article for the ''New Statesman'' discussing his experiences of meeting the dictator at his compound in Libya.

In 2014 he was Sky's sole nominee in the Royal Television Society Awards Presenter of the Year category for his work in Nairobi during the Westgate shopping mall attack and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

In July 2014, following the destruction of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine, Brazier was filmed tampering with the contents of a victim's luggage. Widespread media criticism and calls for Brazier's resignation ensued. Over 100 complaints about Brazier's conduct were submitted to Ofcom. In an article published in ''The Guardian'' on 22 July 2014, Brazier apologised and said that his actions were "a serious error of judgment".

In 2015 he reported on events including the Tunisian terror attacks and the Nepal earthquake.

In 2016 he won an International Emmy Award and was nominated for a BAFTA for his coverage of the European migrant crisis.

In February 2021, it was announced that Brazier was leaving Sky News for GB News. On the channel he and Mercy Muroki co-hosted ''Brazier & Muroki'', a daytime "news, interview and debate" programme. In August 2021 it was replaced by a different programme, leaving Brazier's sole presenting role as filling in for Andrew Neil in the 8 pm slot. Following Neil's resignation as a GB News presenter in September 2021, Brazier was given a permanent programme at 8 pm called ''Brazier''. In January 2022, Brazier's 8pm weeknight show was moved to 4-6pm, and the 8pm Monday-Friday slot was filled by a new show, ''Steyn'', hosted by Mark Steyn. His weekly TV show ''Brazier'' has also been aired via radio since January 2022, on GB News Radio.
In September 2022 he was sacked by GB News, during a re-shuffle.

Personal life

In 1999, Brazier married Joanna Roughton, at the time Reuters Asia editor and then Sky's head of foreign news until 2002, with whom he had six children. In 2017, Brazier and his family were featured on Sky News talking about Sky's ''Ocean Rescue'' campaign. Roughton died from breast cancer in July 2018, aged 55.

Brazier is a practising Catholic, and has written articles for the ''Catholic Herald''. He has stated that he is "ill at ease" with modern funeral traditions.

A keen cricketer, Brazier is a member of the Lord's Taverners, a charity which aims to improve the fortunes of underprivileged young cricketers, and has played in fundraising matches for the organisation. He was once seen on-camera appearing to practise a cover drive.

Brazier's 2013 book ''Sticking Up For Siblings'', was based on his experiences as a father of six young children. The book, which encourages parents to reconsider the merits of larger families, was debated on the BBC ''Today'' programme, Radio 5 Live, ''ITV Daybreak'' and ''BBC Breakfast''.

References

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Brazier, Colin
1968 births
British monarchists
British television newsreaders and news presenters
English male journalists
English television journalists
English television presenters
GB News newsreaders and journalists
Living people
Sky News newsreaders and journalists
Writers from Bradford