30 Facts About Mel Giedroyc

Early Life and Education

Mel Giedroyc's journey began in Epsom, Surrey, where she was born on June 5, 1968. Her upbringing and education played a significant role in shaping her future career.

1. 01Mel Giedroyc was born to Michal Giedroyc, an aircraft designer and civil engineer of Polish-Lithuanian descent, and Rosemary "Rosy" Cumpston, of English origin. Her older sister is film and television director Coky Giedroyc.
2. 02Giedroyc's family has a rich history, with her father being part of the aristocratic Giedroyć family from Poland and Lithuania.
3. 03Mel grew up in Leatherhead and later moved to Oxford as a teenager. She attended the independent Oxford High School and later graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge, with a lower second degree in French and Italian.

Career Beginnings and Comedy Partnership

Mel's career took off when she met her long-time comedy partner, Sue Perkins, at the University of Cambridge. Together, they formed a dynamic duo that would go on to achieve great success.

4. 04Giedroyc met her long-time comedy partner Sue Perkins while they were students at the University of Cambridge and members of the Footlights comedy club.
5. 05The duo was short-listed for the Daily Express Best Newcomers Award at the Edinburgh Festival in 1993. Their first presenting roles saw them host a lunchtime show on Channel 4 called Light Lunch (and the early evening version, Late Lunch).

Breakthrough Roles and Television Appearances

Mel's versatility as a comedian and actress became evident through her various roles on television, showcasing her talent in different genres.

6. 06In 1996, Giedroyc appeared with Perkins in four episodes of the BBC One sketch comedy series French and Saunders. She also appeared in one episode of Gimme Gimme Gimme in 1999, playing a receptionist at a hotel.
7. 07Giedroyc was a presenter on Channel 4's RI:SE and narrated Celebrity Driving School in 2003. She co-starred in the 2005 BBC One sitcom Blessed and co-presented Richard Hammond's 5 O'Clock Show on ITV.
8. 08Giedroyc appeared in one episode of The Vicar of Dibley, showcasing her versatility in various comedic roles.
9. 09In 2005, Giedroyc was the sixth student to be voted out of Comic Relief Does Fame Academy and was a celebrity judge on the 2007 edition of Making Your Mind Up along with John Barrowman.
10. 10Giedroyc starred as one of the presenters in the show Eurobeat: Almost Eurovision at the Edinburgh Fringe and subsequently in the West End at the Novello Theatre.
11. 11She played the Fairy Liquid in a production of Jack and the Beanstalk at London's Barbican theatre in December 2007.
12. 12Giedroyc appeared in a children's sketch show for the BBC called Sorry, I've Got No Head, further demonstrating her range in comedy.
13. 13In 2010, Giedroyc was a celebrity guest team captain on What Do Kids Know? with Rufus Hound, Joe Swash, and Sara Cox on Watch.
14. 14She appeared in the first episode of series two of Miranda Hart's self-titled sitcom Miranda as a life coach.
15. 15Giedroyc was a panellist on the Channel 5 programme The Wright Stuff in 2007, 2008, and in February 2010.
16. 16She plays Mrs V, the owner of the Y café, in CBBC programme Sadie J and is also the voice of Mist in Mist: Sheepdog Tales, shown on Channel 5's morning show Milkshake!.

The Great British Bake Off and Beyond

Mel's role as a host on The Great British Bake Off brought her widespread recognition and acclaim. Her chemistry with Sue Perkins made the show a beloved staple.

17. 17Giedroyc was reunited with Sue Perkins in 2010 to host the cookery competition The Great British Bake Off on BBC Two from August 16, 2010. The show moved to BBC One for its fifth series and has won numerous awards.
18. 18In September 2016, Love Productions announced that a three-year deal had been agreed to broadcast The Great British Bake Off on Channel 4 instead of the BBC from 2017. Giedroyc and Perkins announced that they would not be continuing with the show on its new network.

Other Hosting and Presenting Roles

Mel's career continued to flourish with various hosting and presenting roles, showcasing her adaptability and charm.

19. 19In 2015, Giedroyc narrated an eight-part BBC One series called Now You See It. A second series aired in 2016.
20. 20In January 2015, Giedroyc and Perkins were given their own daytime chat show on ITV called Mel and Sue. The show aired for 30 episodes.
21. 21Since 2015, Giedroyc has held various commentating roles for the Eurovision Song Contest. In May 2015, she joined Scott Mills in commentating the semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 for the United Kingdom on BBC Three.
22. 22In early 2017, Giedroyc co-presented the BBC show Let It Shine alongside Graham Norton. The judges were Gary Barlow, Martin Kemp, and Dannii Minogue.
23. 23Giedroyc narrated The Secret Chef for ITV and co-presented Let's Sing and Dance for Comic Relief alongside Sue Perkins on BBC One.
24. 24Also in 2017, Giedroyc competed in the fourth series of Taskmaster against Lolly Adefope, Hugh Dennis, Noel Fielding, and Joe Lycett.
25. 25Since June 2017, Giedroyc has presented Saturday night entertainment series Pitch Battle for BBC One.
26. 26She also presents the daily BBC Two game show Letterbox, having hosted 45 episodes since 2017.
27. 27On July 23, 2017, it was confirmed that Giedroyc and Perkins would host a new version of The Generation Game for BBC One.
28. 28In November 2017, she co-presented Children in Need for the first time.
29. 29In December 2017, Giedroyc hosted an episode of Have I Got News for You and was host again in 2022 and 2024.

Recent Projects and Future Endeavors

Mel continues to be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, taking on new projects and roles that keep her in the spotlight.

30. 30In May 2018, Giedroyc was the spokesperson for the United Kingdom as part of the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. She also hosts the British version of the Mattel-produced American game show Pictionary, which began airing on ITV with Christmas specials in December 2024 and will continue into early 2025.

Mel Giedroyc: A Beloved Icon

Mel Giedroyc's career showcases her versatility and charm. From her early days with Sue Perkins in comedy to hosting The Great British Bake Off, Mel's journey has been nothing short of impressive. Her roles in shows like Miranda, Taskmaster, and Pitch Battle highlight her adaptability and talent. Mel's involvement in Eurovision and Children in Need further cements her place in British entertainment. Whether she's making us laugh, hosting game shows like Letterbox, or narrating series like Now You See It, Mel's unique blend of humor and warmth shines through. Her dedication and passion for her craft have made her a beloved figure in the industry. As she continues to take on new projects, Mel Giedroyc remains a cherished icon, bringing joy and laughter to audiences everywhere.