Matt Chorley Explained

Matt Chorley
Nationality:British
Education:Richard Huish College
Occupation:Journalist, broadcaster
Known For:Red Box newsletter and podcast for The Times, and mid-morning political show on Times Radio
Spouse:Alyson
Children:2
Website:https://mattchorley.com/

Matt Chorley is a British journalist and broadcaster who hosted a live morning politics show, described by him as "politics without the boring bits", on Times Radio.[1] After beginning his career at the Taunton Times, he was a political correspondent for the Western Morning News, the Press Association, and the Independent on Sunday before becoming the political editor of MailOnline. He joined the The Times in 2016. He has won awards for his political podcast and for his book. He is also a regular guest on Have I Got News For You.[2]

In May 2024 it was announced that Chorley would be leaving Times Radio in July in order to take up a new position hosting a daily politics show on BBC Radio 5 Live.[3]

Early and personal life

Chorley was born in 1982. He was brought up near Taunton on the Somerset Levels, and attended Richard Huish College; he did not study at a university.[4] He is married to Alyson, whom he met while working for the Taunton Times. The couple have two daughters. The family's pet is a former guide dog.[5]

Career

Journalism

Chorley started his journalistic career reporting at the now-defunct Taunton Times, and then the Western Morning News.[6] [7] He moved to London in 2005 to work in the House of Commons press gallery for the Press Association,[8]

Chorley joined The Times in 2016,[9] where he edited the Red Box political email newsletter. He then also started presenting a podcast of the same name, also hosted by The Times, which was subsequently renamed Politics Without The Boring Bits in 2023.[10] In October 2023, The Times launched a weekly podcast called How To Win An Election, presented by Chorley and featuring the former political strategists Peter Mandelson, Danny Finkelstein, and Polly Mackenzie as recurring guests.[11]

In June 2020, Chorley stepped back from writing the newsletter, to present the mid-morning slot at the newly-launched Times Radio from 10am to 1pm, Monday to Thursday.[12] [13] In May 2021, he was also given the Friday shift, taking the show to five days a week.[14] In May 2024 Chorley announced his departure from Times Radio, and BBC Radio 5 Live issued a press release stating he will host a weekday afternoons radio show commencing in September 2024.[15]

Comedy

In parallel to his early journalistic career in Somerset, Chorley formed part of a comedy trio called Big Day Out, alongside friends Lewis Georgeson and William Kenning. When Chorley left Somerset for London in 2005, his decision was influenced by wanting to spend more time focusing on the comedy sketch group, which had already enjoyed sold-out shows in the capital. In 2007, Big Day Out took their comedy show to the Edinburgh Festival.

In 2019, Chorley toured his one-man political comedy show, This is Not Normal, around the UK.[16] In 2022, Chorley toured another show called Who is In Charge Here?[17] In 2024, Chorley toured his third one-man show called Poll Dancer.[18]

Book

In 2023, Chorley published a book titled, Planes, Trains and Toilet Doors: 50 Places That Changed British Politics.[19] The book focuses on unique places outside the traditional corridors of power in Whitehall, that reportedly changed the course of British politics.

Accolades

At the 2020 Society of Editors' The Press Awards, Red Box won the award for 'best news podcast'.[20] At the 2020 London Press Club, Chorley won 'digital journalist of the year' for his Red Box newsletter and podcast for The Times.[21] [22] In February 2021 Chorley was nominated for ‘radio broadcaster of the year’ at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards.[23] In September 2022, he was shortlisted in the category 'broadcaster of the year' at The London Press Club Awards.[24] In March 2023, Chorley was nominated in the 'best speech presenter' category at the Audio and Radio Industry Awards (ARIAS).[25] In 2024, the radio show was nominated for 'radio programme of the year' at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards.[26]

Chorley's book, Planes, Trains and Toilet Doors: 50 Places That Changed British Politics, won the award for the best 'political book by a non-parliamentarian' at the 2023 Parliamentary Book Awards, organised by the Publishers Association and the Booksellers Association.[27]

Feuds

Chorley has had a particularly fractious relationship with Andrew Bridgen, the MP for North West Leicestershire, since 2018.[28] In November of that year, Chorley revealed that Bridgen's Conservative colleagues had described him as "spud-u-hate" and “thick as mash”.[29] It is reportedly as a result of this piece that Bridgen refused to vote in support of Theresa May's 2018 Brexit deal at the height of the Brexit negotiations.[30] Chorley has since regularly denounced Bridgen's struggles with the law and with parliamentary standards in his columns,[31] [32] and has described the MP among other things as a “deluded attention-seeker” and “the Conservative MP for North West Bullshitshire”.[33]

Chorley has also extensively spoken of his dislike of cats, and has even campaigned for Larry the Cat to be evicted from Downing Street.[34]

Notes and References

  1. News: Matt Chorley . 4 June 2020 . The Times.
  2. Web site: Brundle . Lotte . 2024-05-21 . Matt Chorley to host daytime politics show on BBC Radio 5 Live . 2024-06-13 . . en.
  3. Web site: Tobitt . Charlotte . 2024-05-31 . Andrew Neil to start at Times Radio one month ahead of election . 2024-06-13 . Press Gazette . en-US.
  4. Web site: Chorley . Matt . 2019-07-05 . Nobody knows what they're doing . 2024-06-13 . Matt Chorley.
  5. News: Chorley . Matt . 2024-01-02 . Matt Chorley on falling for a dog at the Tory party conference . . en . 2024-01-02 . 0140-0460.
  6. Web site: Hill . Phil . 27 April 2020 . Matt Chorley to host politics show on Times Radio Somerset County Gazette . 17 April 2024 . . en.
  7. Web site: Scancariello . Antonio . 13 April 2024 . Homecoming show for Taunton comedian Matt Chorley Somerset County Gazette . 17 April 2024 . Somerset County Gazette.
  8. Web site: 2007-06-25 . Reporter-turned-comedian gets ready for Big Day Out at Edinburgh Festival . 2024-04-17 . HoldTheFrontPage.co.uk.
  9. Web site: Matt Chorley - The Press Awards . 17 April 2024 . The Press Awards.
  10. Web site: The Red Box Politics Podcast on Apple Podcasts . 4 June 2020 . . en-gb.
  11. Web site: 20 October 2023 . The Times signs big political names for How To Win An Election podcast . 17 April 2024 . Podcasting Today.
  12. Web site: Tobitt . Charlotte . 2 June 2020 . Times Radio launch date and line-up from Frostrup to Pienaar . 4 June 2020 . Press Gazette.
  13. Web site: Warrington . James . 27 April 2020 . Times Radio taps BBC and Channel 4 stars ahead of summer launch . 4 June 2020 . . en-GB.
  14. News: 6 May 2021 . Matt Chorley goes five days a week on Times Radio . 6 June 2021 . . en-GB.
  15. News: Matt Chorley joins BBC Radio 5 Live for an exciting new daytime politics show ahead of election. BBC. 21 May 2024. 21 May 2024.
  16. Web site: Matt Chorley: This.is.not.normal : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide . 4 June 2020 . . en.
  17. Web site: 24 February 2022 . Matt Chorley asks 'Who Is In Charge Here?' with his new tour . 17 April 2024 . Virgin Radio UK.
  18. Web site: Hall . Charlotte . 4 March 2024 . 'Silliness or satire?' Matt Chorley's new stand-up show dances a fine line Manchester Evening News . 17 April 2024 . Manchester Evening News.
  19. Book: Chorley, Matt . Planes, Trains and Toilet Doors: 50 Places That Changed British Politics . October 2023 . HarperCollins UK / William Collins . 9780008622060 . 1st . English.
  20. News: Tobitt . Charlotte . 3 April 2020 . Press Awards reveal winners despite cancelling ceremony over Covid-19 . 24 June 2020 . Press Gazette.
  21. Web site: 14 October 2020 . The i and The Sunday Times take the newspaper of the year awards . 17 April 2024 . London Press Club.
  22. Web site: 14 October 2020 . The i and Sunday Times win at London Press Club Awards – Society of Editors . 17 April 2024 . Society of Editors.
  23. Web site: February 25, 2021 . Radio, audio and podcast nominations for this year's BPG Awards revealed . March 2, 2023 . Advanced Television.
  24. Web site: 26 October 2022 . London Press Club Awards 2022 – Winners and shortlists - London Press Club . 17 April 2024 . London Press Club.
  25. Web site: Collins . Steve . March 30, 2023 . Nominees and new location announced for ARIAS 2023 . March 31, 2023 . Radio Today.
  26. Web site: Naylor . James . March 7, 2024 . Audio nominations for this year's 50th BPG Awards . 21 March 2024 . Broadcasting Press Guild.
  27. Web site: Anderson . Porter . 7 February 2024 . In London: Fêting the New Parliamentary Book Award Winners . 19 April 2024 . Publishing Perspectives.
  28. Web site: Chorley . Matt . 4 November 2022 . Five days of parliament without this 'spud-u-hate' MP is a treat to savour . 20 April 2024 . The Times.
  29. News: Chorley . Matt . 17 November 2018 . The Midlands Machiavelli is an assassin who'd put his weapon on expenses . 20 April 2024 . The Times.
  30. Web site: Withers . Matt . 21 November 2018 . Tory MP 'refuses to vote with government after being called thick as mash' . 20 April 2024 . The New European.
  31. Web site: Chorley . Matt . 17 April 2022 . 'Dishonest' MP Bridgen 'lied' about conduct in family dispute . 20 April 2024 . The Times.
  32. Web site: Chorley . Matt . 3 September 2022 . MP Andrew Bridgen ordered to quit home in fight over family potato firm . 20 April 2024 . The Times.
  33. Web site: Chorley . Matt . 13 January 2023 . Even for lazy Westminster, Andrew Bridgen the anti-science spud will no longer do . 20 April 2024 . The Times.
  34. Web site: Chorley . Matt . 2024-07-13 . Sir Keir’s most pressing task: speak truth to purr and evict Larry the Cat . 2024-07-13 . www.thetimes.com . en.