For 18 years, Gordon Burns was the formidable host of ITV's iconic game show, The Krypton Factor, becoming a familiar face in living rooms across the UK. However, his career spans far beyond quiz shows, encompassing five decades of serious journalism, award-winning news anchoring, and a surprising family connection to global music superstar Ed Sheeran.
A Distinguished Career in Journalism
Long before he became synonymous with testing contestants' mental and physical prowess, Gordon Burns was a dedicated journalist. His career began straight from school as a reporter for the Belfast Telegraph in his native Northern Ireland. He quickly landed his 'dream job' as a sports news assistant at BBC Radio, setting the stage for a prolific career.
Burns moved to Ulster Television as a sports editor and anchor, covering the early, violent days of The Troubles. This period was marked by significant danger; he received threats from both sides of the conflict and discovered his name was on an assassination list. Despite being followed on two occasions, he fortunately escaped any physical harm.
In 1973, he relocated to Manchester, joining Granada Television. For 22 years, he reported and presented for prestigious programmes like Granada Reports and the investigative series World in Action, solidifying his reputation as a serious current affairs journalist.
The Krypton Factor and a Change of Direction
In 1977, Burns reluctantly agreed to host a new game show, The Krypton Factor, as a favour to a friend in the industry. He initially committed to just 12 months but ended up fronting the prime-time hit for its entire 18-year run, from 1977 until 1995. At its peak, the show drew an astonishing 18 million viewers.
While the show was a massive success, it unexpectedly altered his career trajectory. 'You get pigeonholed on TV,' Burns remarked in a 2019 interview. His work in politics and current affairs faded, leading him to appearances on shows like Surprise Surprise with Cilla Black and the establishment of his own production company devising quiz-type programmes.
Return to Roots and Emotional On-Air Moments
A couple of years after leaving The Krypton Factor, Burns returned to his journalistic roots. From 1997 to 2011, he served as the chief anchor for the BBC's award-winning regional news programme, North West Tonight. He was later joined by co-host Ranvir Singh.
Even in retirement, which began in 2013, Burns has made special returns to the screen. In 2019, he delivered a moving on-air tribute to his friend and former colleague, weather presenter Dianne Oxberry, who tragically died from cancer. Burns was visibly emotional, choking back tears as he shared fond memories of working with her.
More recently, in July 2024, he came out of retirement for a powerful interview with Gee Walker, the mother of murdered teenager Anthony Walker, marking the 20th anniversary of her son's death.
Beyond broadcasting, Burns utilised his expertise by founding The Gordon Burns Partnership, a media training company that operated for nine years until its dissolution in 2020. Now 83, he lives in Manchester with his wife of nearly 54 years, with whom he has two children and four grandchildren. He remains engaged with current affairs and sport, regularly posting his opinions on social media and making the occasional appearance, proving his passion for the industry endures.
