Gareth Gwynn

4Talent Awards 2007: Radio Presentation Award
BBC New Talent: Show Me The Funny 2007: Finalist
Funny Business 2007: Finalist
Laughing Horse New Act of the Year 2006: Semi-Finalist
Student Radio Awards 2004: Best Comedy: Gold Award Winner

Radio
Gareth Gwynn is a writer, presenter and radio producer, based in South Wales.

Starting out on Bath University's student radio station, 1449AM URB, Gareth achieved great success at the National Student Radio Awards (hosted by BBC Radio 1), most notably by winning the Gold award for Best Comedy and Drama Show in 2004.

On leaving University, Gareth progressed to commercial radio, filling in for absent presenters on 106.3 Bridge FM, where he was soon given his own show. From March to November 2006, Gareth wrote, produced and presented the topical comedy show "Gareth Gwynn's Big Night In" every Saturday evening, making extensive use of pre-production and voice-bending techniques to create the illusion of a cast of thousands (who all sounded slightly like Gareth).

In October 2006, Gareth entered BBC Talent's new comedy initiative "Show Me The Funny". After submitting a 5 minute audio-demo and a script for a 15 minute show, Gareth's pilot "BBC BackChat" was broadcast as part of BBC7's "Witty and Twisted" series in Spring 2007. Following the broadcast of the pilot, Gareth was invited to join the writing team for Jon Holmes' new series "Listen Against" on BBC Radio 4. He has also contributed to the BBC7 sketch show "Play and Record".

In addition, Gareth was part of the initial presenting line-up for Neath and Port Talbot's community radio station 107.9 Afan FM when it launched as a full time station in April 2007. It was for his work on Afan FM, combined with his previous Radio endeavours, that led to him winning a 4Talent award for Radio Presentation, in a scheme supported by Channel 4 and judged by Channel 4 Radio.

In November 2007, Gareth left Afan FM to join the newly launched "Xfm South Wales" as producer of the Roop and Tom Breakfast Show.

Stand-Up
Gareth Gwynn is also a stand-up comedian and has been performing since October 2005. Thanks to his time in student radio, he took to the stage armed with a ready-made bank of material and came third in a Semi-Final of the Laughing Horse New Act of the Year competition on a gig count that barely reached double figures. In May 2007, Gareth qualified for the final of the BBC Wales "Funny Business" stand-up comedy competition, though dropped out prior to the final due to the contract being offered as a prize conflicting with his ongoing radio work.

Quotes

"Gareth seemed to have a good range of styles to suit different situations. Quick witted and funny, he seemed to be in total control" - Student Radio Award Judges 2005.

"Gareth Gwynn, I thought, was very likable, very assured. I was very impressed... Had some great ideas... Hysterically funny, I thought" - Paul Schlesinger, Head of BBC Radio Entertainment and BBC New Talent judge.

"I certainly would like to hear more from this writer... You could hear his talent" - Helen Atkinson-Wood, actress and BBC New Talent judge.

"Gareth is forging a formidable comedic reputation." - TEN4 magazine