Roy Noble is from Brynamman in the Amman Valley and went to Amman Valley Grammar School in Ammanford.
Roy Noble began his career as a teacher before his move into broadcasting in 1980 on BBC Radio Wales and he continues today with his daily two hour show Roy Noble. He is also well known in the world of television, where he has presented magazine programmes and fronted his own BBC Wales TV documentary series The Noble Guide and The Noble Trail. In 1994 he joined the Welsh language evening magazine programme Heno, on S4C. He is also a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and a special envoy for the Welsh Tourist Board.
Roy's transition from his career as a head teacher to broadcaster was gradual, at first part-time writing and presenting a weekly Letter from Aberdare on the A.M. programme on BBC Radio Wales. He proved so popular that he was invited to join the BBC for a two hour daily morning programme. Thanks to Roy's own brand of humour, his easy-going personality and his power of verbal communication, whether it be with the daily mystery voice contestants, or the weekly interview with a Welsh MP, the Roy Noble Programme has reached extraordinarily high listening figures which have been maintained over its long run.
Roy has also had a highly successful career in television – Network, BBC and S4C – working both in the medium of Welsh and English. Whether it be his role as a television presenter; actor or writer he has fufilled each and every role to perfection and has proven his talent in every one of these fields.
Roy is very much in demand as an after dinner speaker and his inimitable way of story telling leaves his audiences spellbound. Roy has also written a number of books, his latest being published in April 2001.
Roy is the current Ambassador for the United Nations International Youth Movement and is involved in very many charities.
The following is from the BBC web site:
Roy Noble
Born: 1942
Place of Birth: Brynamman, Ammanford
School: Amman Valley Grammar School
Famous For: A radio and TV regular on BBC WalesBiography:
Roy is the only son of coal miner Ivor Noble and his wife Sadie. He was born and brought up in Brynamman. He lived with his parents who shared their house with his grandmother and his mother's bachelor brothers. After passing his 11 Plus entrance examination he attended Amman Valley Grammar School where fellow pupils included Vernon Pugh and John Cale. Upon completing his school education he left Ammanford and went to Cardiff to train as a teacher.
..... His teaching career took him first to England where he carried out his 'missionary work' and he then returned to South Wales. In his latter years of teaching he became head teacher at Ysgol Thomas Stephens in Pontneddfechan, and subsequently Llangattock Primary School in Crickhowell. He also won a scholarship to visit and compare schools in Germany and the USA.
..... It was at this time that he began to work part-time for BBC Radio Wales. He wrote and presented 'Letters from Aberdare' which were part of the early morning show on the radio station. In 1985 he left teaching when he was offered a show on BBC Radio Wales. Ultimately he progressed to presenting 'The Roy Noble Show' which is still on air every weekday. In 1999 he received a Sony Award for his radio programme. In 2000 he received the Royal Television Society Award for regional presenter of the year.
..... Roy is also well known in the television world for his work in English and Welsh. From 1994 to 2001 he co-presented the Welsh language show 'Heno' on S4C. He's also presented a number of other shows including the BBC Diet Programme with Barbara Dickson and a series of 'Noble Guides' which have covered many subjects from Paris to manliness and mortality.
..... Roy is involved with many charities and organisations. He is an Officer of the Order of St.John and an Honorary Fellow of UWIC (University of Wales Institute Cardiff).
..... Moment of Glory: In 2001 he was awarded the OBE for his charity work.
..... Trivia: Roy tried to join the RAF as he had always wanted to be a pilot. He was turned down because he suffers from hay fever. He is also a qualified bus driverSource: BBC Wales
Date this page last updated: October 1, 2010
