Danny Baker’s career from NME to 5 Live as he is sacked by BBC over ‘racist’ royal baby tweet

Sorry: Broadcaster Danny Baker
Philip Toscano/PA

Danny Baker was fired from BBC Radio 5 Live today after a photo he tweeted depicting the royal baby as a monkey was branded “racist”.

The incident follows a long line of colourful and controversial career highlights and low points - and is his second dismissal from the national radio service.

Here’s a rundown of the 61-year-old’s most notable career moments since 1977.

Where did Baker begin his career?

Baker began writing for Sniffin’ Glue, a punk fanzine, before moving to NME, where writers were revered almost as much as their rock star interviewees.

His first major break in broadcasting came in the early 1980s as a reporter and presenter on London Weekend Television's The Six O’Clock Show.

In the late ‘90s he appeared as a guest on TV shows like Have I Got News for You and Shooting Stars, and became the first ever winner of QI.

During this time, he appeared in the press after being snapped on nights out with fellow presenter Chris Evans and England footballer Paul Gascoigne.

After Gascoigne was left out of the 1998 World Cup squad in the wake of drinking and socialising scandals, Baker went onto Have I Got News for You to defend his friend and criticise his omission from the team.

He was fired after posting 'racist' tweet depicting the royal baby as a monkey.  

He was also famously the face of the Daz Doorstep Challenge washing powder ads in the 1990s.

Baker has also written for TV shows including TFI Friday, TV Hell and the 2016 Top Gear series hosted by his friend Chris Evans, and was voted out of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2016 in the first round.

Baker's stints at BBC 5 Live

He joined the station when it launched in 1990. At first, he presented for Sportscall but then became the original host for BBC Radio 5 Live’s 606 show from 1991 to 1992.

In 1997 he was fired whilst fronting a version of the 606 show called The Baker Line after it was alleged he had incited threatening behaviour at a football referee.

He returned to BBC Radio London in 2001 to present a Saturday morning show and hosted a variety of shows for the station until his show was axed in November 2012.

He announced show's end live on air, saying: ‘The show’s been cancelled by the BBC. They don’t want this any more.

Baker has been fired from BBC 5 Live twice
PA

‘It’s a dirty rotten shame and a rotten way they did it. Nobody phoned me. Apparently they were planning on getting round to telling me. I don’t want to go, I make no bones about it.’

Baker later criticised the decision on Twitter, saying calling BBC producers, “pinheaded weasels”.

However, in 2008, he was invited back again to host 606 on Tuesday Evenings.

This soon expanded to the Saturday morning slot, which went on to win critical acclaim and several Sony Radio Awards.

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