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How Old Chris Tarrant

Chris Tarrant: The Golden Years of a Quiz Show Legend

Picture this: it's the late '80s, the height of the Cold War, and a certain Chris Tarrant is about to become a household name. No, he wasn't a spy, but he did have a secret weapon - his voice. It was as warm as a cup of tea on a rainy day, and just as comforting.

Who's That Voice?

Born in 1946, Chris was a radio DJ before he became the face of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? He started his career in the '60s, working for pirate radio stations like Radio Caroline. Now, that's a resume builder! He was even arrested for his radio work, but that's a story for another time.

In the '70s and '80s, he hosted shows like Capital Radio and LBC. But it was in 1998 that he truly became a national treasure, when Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? hit our screens.

Millionaire Mania

Remember the phone lines lighting up like a Christmas tree? That was Chris, asking questions that had us all scratching our heads. The show was a phenomenon, and Chris was at the helm, steering us through the maze of questions with his signature charm.

He once said, "I'm not a quiz show host, I'm a quiz show hostage." But we were all hostages to his charisma, eagerly watching to see if contestants would walk away with a million pounds.

Fun Facts and Figures

Did you know Chris once had a pet snake? It was a python named 'Python'. Now that's a name that's hard to forget! He also has a fear of heights, which is ironic considering his career took him to great heights.

Chris Tarrant reveals diet overhaul after collapsing on flightChris Tarrant reveals diet overhaul after collapsing on flight

He's been married twice and has three children. His daughter, Emily, followed in his footsteps and became a TV presenter. Talk about a family affair!

In 2004, Chris was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting. But he's quick to point out that it stands for 'Order of the British Empire', not 'Order of the Biscuit Eaters'. Phew, that's a relief.

Life After Millionaire

After Millionaire, Chris hosted other shows like Tarrant on TV and The People's Quiz. He's also written books, including his autobiography, Millionaire: My Autobiography.

Chris Tarrant unveils tragic reason he decided to quit TV | TV & RadioChris Tarrant unveils tragic reason he decided to quit TV | TV & Radio

In 2018, he had a near-death experience when he suffered a stroke while on holiday. But true to form, he didn't let it slow him down. He made a full recovery and even ran the London Marathon in 2019 to raise money for the Stroke Association.

Why We Love Chris

Chris Tarrant is more than just a quiz show host. He's a national treasure, a symbol of a bygone era when TV was simple, fun, and full of personality. He's a man who's seen it all, from pirate radio to primetime TV, and he's done it all with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.

So here's to Chris, the original millionaire maker. He might not be hosting Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? anymore, but he'll always be the man who asked the questions we all wanted to answer.