About Reggie

May 31st, 1983. Posted by Reggie Yates

It could have all been very different. Back in 1991 Mrs Yates sent a young Reggie to the local Scout group for a night of tying knots and pitching tents. A childhood full of camping trips to the Norfolk Broads awaited him. Except for one stumbling block… The week before, Reggie had attended a drama class at Islington’s renowned Anna Scher’s school. He had his mind set on attending the after school club and one look at the green and khaki uniform of the 1st North Islington Cub Scouts and Reggie decided a lifetime on stage was the way to go.

So although unable to tie a sheep shank, Reggie undertook his training and it wasn’t long before the acting roles started coming in. At the tender age of just eight, Reggie appeared in seminal comedy, Desmonds playing an ever so slightly obnoxious child followed by a role as a footballer on A Bit of Fry & Laurie. After a year on Channel Five Soap, Family Affairs and the obligatory turn in The Bill, Reggie landed the part of Carl in BBC cult kid’s show Grange Hill.

Yet acting wasn’t enough to keep Reggie occupied, abundant charm and slick presenting skills led to him hosting Diggit (where he first worked with a certain Ms Cotton) back in 1998! The BBC wasted no time in spotting the potential and he was quickly recruited to become part of the trio hosting Sunday morning kids show, Smile. Alongside Fearne, Dev and a puppet called Nev, a braided, dodgy ‘tache-sporting Reggie earned cult status with the feature Bubblin’ and the show’s mischievous energetic feel.

Reggie’s love of music soon came to the foreground as he took his place as a core part of the BBC’s new Black music station, 1Xtra aged just 18. Alongside Dev, he hosted a show for 2 years with highlights including broadcasting from the FA Cup Final and interviewing soon to be Hollywood heavyweight, Jamie Foxx.

As a stalwart of CBBC Reggie got the chance to land some pretty great presenting jobs, he took free kicks with David Beckham in Madrid (Beckham’s Hot Shots), braved the jungles of Brazil (Escape from Scorpion Island) and toured the States with Fearne in the hit show, Only in America. He also found time to co-devise and star in comedy, The Crust, and drama, UGetMe. Amongst a string of children’s shows, Reggie also fronted the Saturday morning programme, Mighty Truck of Stuff which saw him fill a truck with… stuff and then give it away!

Reggie burst on to primetime telly hosting the BBC’s longest running music franchise, the internationally recognised Top of the Pops. Even after the shows regular run came to a close, Reggie continues to be the host of the much loved Xmas Day and New Years Eve editions of the show. And as if one cornerstone of British pop culture wasn’t enough, Reggie played the part of Leo in the 2007 series of Doctor Who where he avoided being shot by Daleks or anything else made out of cardboard!

It wasn’t long before the call came and Reggie found himself guesting on Radio 1 and as if to prove his credentials as a huge music fan his first specialist show saw some of the very first plays on Radio 1 of Adele and Mr. Hudson. Quickly reunited with his presenting sister Fearne, the duo took to the air on Weekend Breakfast before heading to the afternoon slot with both the Request Show and the all important Chart Show. After two years together Fearne left the show and Reggie now hosts the shows solo announcing the number 1 to the nation every Sunday at 4pm.

2009 was a stellar year for Reggie, he’s helped teenagers across the country with his light hearted take on life coaching with The Almost Perfect Guide to Life for BBC2, found a new home at MTV hosting specials on Eminem, Jay-Z and Whitney Houston, donned his wellies for BBC 3 and toured the country hosting the coverage of all the major music festivals from Glastonbury to T in the Park. As if the mud wasn’t bad enough, Reggie braved his deepest fears as he took part in Jack Osbourne’s Adrenaline Junkie where he jumped out of helicopters and worse, in a bid to not get called chicken. For the first time in its history, the MOBOs left London to hold their annual award show in Glasgow, but you can’t take London out of the event as Reggie presided over the awards which included a touching tribute to the late Michael Jackson from his family, Jermaine and LaToya. His performance led to him being offered the chance to host BBC3’s week long dance competition, Move Like Michael Jackson which aired in December 2009.

Although regularly found in entertainment, Reggie’s more serious side came out as he hosted BBC3 documentary series Autistic Superstars, where he throw a concert featuring a series of incredible performers all affected by autism. With Comic Relief Reggie headed to Kibera – one of the world’s biggest slums to spend time living like a local as he discovered what the harsh realities are. The 2 part programme will premiere as part of Comic Relief 2011
And just as it was getting a little serious 2011 also sees Reggie become a Jamaican rodent. No really! Reggie a prolific voiceover artist has lent his talent to Rastamouse playing the eponymous lead character for CBeebies as well as playing in Australia and Poland.

Acting remains a major passion of Reggie’s and in September 2009 ITV2 screened the eight part drama, Trinity produced by Ash Atalla (The Office). Playing working class hero Theo, Reggie wowed audiences with his portrayal of a student trying to find his way through an elitist college as well as how he fluked getting with the hottest girl in the year! 2011 sees the release of Reggie’s big screen debut in the UK thriller Suicide Kids
For the latest on what Reggie is up to keep coming back for updates on www.reggieyates.com