Experts
During it's run the show had a number of strands dedicated to specific things. Be it fashion, etiquette or computer games. Each strand had its own expert who appeared once a week to guide the Big Breakfast viewers through the latest news in their chosen field.
Ben 'The Boffin' KeyworthExpertise: Computer Games
The original expert. Ben the Boffin was our gide to the world of computer games from day one. He inhabited the spare bedroom and guided Chris through the intricacies of Sonic, Mario & all things Nintendo. He himself admitted that he wasn't the best games player in the world but did enjoy them. Back in 1993 The Independent newspaper interviewed Ben about his role on the Big Breakfast, why not have a read for your self?
Kelly Stone
Expertise: Showbiz
Sister of famous Hollywood actress Sharon Stone, Kelly was, for a while The Big Breakfast's entertainment correspondent in Hollywood. Though she did seem to spend her time on air touting for jobs with E! After leaving the BB Kelly was involved in a tragic accident where she had to spend 5 years in a wheel chair after losing a leg. This didn't hinder her though. She has gone on to have a successful career in booking product placement in films & TV and credits include The OC and Desperate Housewives.
Jo WhileyExpertise: Music
Famous BBC Radio 2 DJ Jo had a regular slot on The Big Breakfast when it relaunched in 1996. She became Snap's music expert. Like many in the early days of The Big Breakfast Jo started working for Planet 24 on The Word. She, along with fellow BB & Radio 1 star Zoe Ball, was one of the shows key researchers. Her passion for music got her a slot on the BBs 1996 revamp giving viewers a round up of music news and the chart rundown every Monday morning. You can now find Jo Wiley presenting her BBC Radio 2 show every Monday - Wednesday night from 8pm.
Wayne HemingwayExpertise: Fashion
The longest serving expert on the show Wayne was a part of the Big Breakfast from September 1996 to the final day. Having two slots a week one on design and one on fashion Wayne was our regular guide to what's hot and what's not. Wayne famously owned the Red Or Dead fashion label along with his wife Geraldine and won British Fashion Council's Streetstyle Designer of the Year Award for an unprecedented 3 consecutive years in 1996, 1997 and 1998. Since leaving the BB Wayne has sold Red Or Dead to set up set up HemingwayDesign, which specializes in affordable and social design.
Ashley RossiterExpertise: Fashion
Presenting us with 'High Street Chic' Ashley has appeared on the show at different intervals since 1997. Sometimes she'd bring her wardrobe in and on otherdays she'd take our hands on a fashion journey through the internet. Every week Ashley dished out fashion advice and top tips, featuring alongside celebrity guests including Nicole Appleton, Kate Hudson, Davina McCall and Caprice. Ashley was very qualified to give us tips on style. Jay Kay, Rod Stewart, Moloko and Take That are just a few of the artists that have used her as a stylist and she continues to give us style tips to this day via her website http://trustmeimastylist.com/
Richard RandallExpertise: Interiors
Inviting us to 'Take Tat and party' Richard Randall would redecorate the spare room in a different style every few weeks throughout 1998. After the item the viewer could then write in to win the room. In 1999 Richards role changed and he would redecorate items such as garden furniture and display his 'Knob of the Week'. Richard has also guest hosted one edition of the show and the 'Owe? No You Don't 'section of the 1999 New Year show. Richard has gone on to have a successful career presenting design TV including ITV's This Morning and 60 Minute Makeover.
Trevor BaylisExpertise: Inventions
One of the most loved 'Experts' Trevor, inventor of the wind up radio hosted his weekly slot 'From Me Shed Son' from Johnny's shed at the bottom of the garden. Introducing us to many new inventions over the years and destroying many more. We also learned that if you can't find an inventor why not try looking in the cupboard! His time on the show includes one of fans favourite mistakes. The destruction of an indestructible computer. Whoops.
Piers Corbyn
Expertise: Weather Predicter
Mark BrightExpertise: Football
Following his retirement from the game in 1999 Mark became the original football expert on the show appearing every Monday morning to reflect on the weekend's matches from behind the bar in the living room. Even though I've no interest in the national sport his banter with Vaughany was often great fun and it was good to see some passionate about their subject given free reign on the show. Mark has gone on to become a football pundit for the BBC and currently appears on the weekly show Football Focus.
Drusilla BreyfusExpertise: Manners
Another fondly loved expert. Drusilla's item 'Mind You Manners' often produced great moments - mainly from Johnny disagreeing with her to Lee Evans pulling faces behind her on the first Big Breakfast post 9-11. Drusilla was a mine of information on how to act accordingly in almost any situation. She even knows how one should act if the Queen were to pop round for tea. Altogether in a high pitch voice - "Drusilllllaaaa!"
Dr. Richard Herring
Expertise: Current Affairs
Dr. Herring was an excellent guide to 'today's world' for the Big Breakfast. He had a good ability to explain goings on clearly. Thus when war was looming he was often called in by the BB to give us the complete story. A shame he wasn't featured more often.
Jonathan Cainer Expertise: Horoscopes/Astrology
Michael Fuller
'Expertise': Films
Don't get me started on him.. The worst presenter the show ever had. Hosted a Film slot from 1999 - 2001. Not sure if it was done in irony or whether the bloke was actually the freak he seemed to be.
Neil 'Razor' RuddockExpertise: Football
With the 2001 relaunch came a fresh football pundit. Neil Ruddock had a long career playing for Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Liverpool,West Ham and Crystal Palace - whom he was still signed to when he appeared on The Big Breakfast.
In recent years Razor has been a contestant on I'm A Celebrity: Get Me Out Of Here, The Jeremy Kyle Show and has the honour of coming last in Celebrity Total Wipeout 2011.
Barefoot DoctorUgh, what an awful self-important twonk this man was. Didn't last long on the Big Breakfast - much to Richard Bacon's delight!Dr Barefoot encouraged us to get in touch with our spiritual sides as he shared his knowledge of Yoga & Taoism. After leaving the Big Breakfast in spring 2001 the doctor went on to appear on the Terry & Gaby show on Channel 5. If you want to know more about the Barefoot Doctor you can visit his website.
Lola LasagneExpertise: Soaps
After much success with Lily Savage on the Big Breakfast producers thought another drag comedian could help revive the fortunes of the show in 2001.
Tony Cottee
Expertise: Football
Nick PopeExpertise: UFOs
Our very own Fox Mulder Nick Pope is the acclaimed auther of 'Open Skies Closed Minds' an excellent book introducing you to the modern myth of UFOs. In the final year of the show Nick, who used to work at the Ministry of Defence's UFO Desk, was called upon to cast his eye over UFO footage and offer his views.
Keith Wilson
Expertise: Art
Ed Nicholson
Expertise: Bookie
Jon SandysExpertise: Films
Jon Sandys was the eagle eyed expert who, from spring 2001, taught viewers that films weren't that accurate. He spotted continuity and production errors previously unimaginable. Jon Sandys was saught out by the show thanks to his excellent website movie-mistakes.
"I was a bored techie teenage film fan and fancied starting a Web site, came up with this, designed it, and stuck an e-mail address on the site for contributions," Sandys said on his Web site. "Over time it just grew and grew. I'm a film lover, with a massive video and DVD collection, which I only watch for entertainment - never to find mistakes."
You'd have to be real alert to spot some of the mistakes yourself, without help from this site. In "The Matrix," for example, the site lists one mistake as being a movie camera reflected in a doorknob.
Jon now has a movie mistakes book out and is currently working on his own show for Channel 5!
