I am a 40 something tongue in cheek newspaper columnist. I have a day job and write for fun. After 20+ years presenting radio shows (mainly amateur and Hospital Radio), where my interviews (mainly politicians) appeared in the Guardian, The New Statesman and The Daily Mirror, I walked away. Frustrated at the lack of variety and being forced to play Right Said Fred once a week, I looked for a new vehicle on which to hang my media hat.

During this time I was writing ‘human interest’ pieces for county council sports centre magazines (desperate…I know…I know..!), and, bizarrely, editing press releases for members of the Saudi Royal family. I also wrote bespoke articles for independent magazines across the country. Sadly, Borders shut down and my literary jalopies all vanished into the abyss.

A gift horse then offered me the main column in a national Radio magazine (On Air) and I didn’t look it in the mouth. After a decade of writing about radio, I got tired of being a one topic pony and moved onto writing for a local magazine (circulation 7000) before being taken on by The Times group.

Since early 2016, I have been writing a weekly column (with attempted humour on any topic I like) for a number of newspapers in the ‘Times’ stable.

I appear every week as ‘The Colne Ranger’ or ‘Brett: A different take’ in the Watford Observer, St Albans review, Enfield Independent and the Harrow Times.
I appear in other titles weekly from Cornwall (The Falmouth Packet) to Scotland (Renthewshire(sp.)Gazette).

Married with 2 young kids, I write as a release. Its not an unpleasant feeling seeing your face in print every week and I enjoy provoking debate. My kids also like defacing Daddies picture in the paper where I have been re-styled with Afro’s, horns and a 3rd eye.

With no topic off limits, the only thing holding me back is my editor if I dip my toe over the line.

Take a breath, read the columns and feel free to message me. I may not agree with your take, but I welcome debate.

Brett Ellis 2017