James O'Brien (broadcaster)
James O'Brien | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1972 United Kingdom |
| Occupation(s) | Broadcaster, author, journalist |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Known for | Host of weekday morning phone-in programme on LBC; appearances on BBC's Newsnight; author of multiple non-fiction works including How They Broke Britain |
| Notable work | Loathe Thy Neighbour (2015), How To Be Right... in a World Gone Wrong (2018), How Not To Be Wrong: The Art of Changing Your Mind (2020), How They Broke Britain (2023) |
| Spouse | Lucy McDonald |
James O'Brien (born 1972) is a British broadcaster, author, and journalist. Since 2004, he has been the host of a weekday morning phone-in programme on the talk radio station LBC. In addition to presenting podcasts, he makes occasional appearances on the BBC's Newsnight and has authored multiple non-fiction works, including the 2023 bestseller How They Broke Britain.
Early life and education
Born in 1972 to a teenage single mother, James O'Brien was adopted at 28 days old by Jim O'Brien, a journalist initially employed by the Doncaster Evening News who later joined The Daily Telegraph. Raised as a Roman Catholic in Kidderminster, he identifies with the Christian faith.
He attended Ampleforth College, a Catholic independent school, from which he was expelled due to cannabis use. O'Brien pursued philosophy and economics at the London School of Economics, later acknowledging the lasting benefits of his philosophical studies despite initially being an inattentive student.
Journalism
Prior to his broadcasting career, O'Brien edited the gossip column for the Daily Express under the pen name William Hickey. His writing also appeared in publications such as the Daily Mail, Cosmopolitan, and The Spectator.
Television
Between 2000 and 2002, O'Brien served as a panel member on Channel 5's The Wright Stuff. In 2001, he hosted the talk show A Knight with O'Brien on Anglia Television. That same year, alongside his wife Lucy McDonald, he co-presented Channel 5's general election discussion programme 5 Talk, which received commendations from Clive James for its political acumen.
O'Brien started guest presenting on the BBC Two series Newsnight in August 2014. His interview with Nigel Farage attracted attention and led to speculation about him replacing Jeremy Paxman as host; however, Evan Davis was appointed instead. He departed from Newsnight in January 2018 following criticism regarding his outspoken anti-Brexit and anti-Trump positions, which were viewed as conflicting with the BBC’s impartiality standards. He left amicably, acknowledging the BBC’s strong journalistic team.
In 2015, O'Brien fronted a ten-episode chat show for ITV titled O'Brien.
LBC
O'Brien began at LBC in 2002 as a holiday cover presenter before launching his own weekly programme in January 2003 and becoming a full-time host in 2004. His show includes features such as the "Mystery Hour," where callers present puzzles for others to solve.
He garnered national recognition in April 2009 when footballer Frank Lampard phoned into his show to contest tabloid reports about his personal life. Lampard refuted claims of neglecting his family, earning widespread acclaim for his response. This interview earned O'Brien a Bronze Award for Best Interview at the 2010 Sony Radio Academy Awards.
In 2013, O'Brien challenged Iain Duncan Smith, then Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, regarding government employment schemes. In May 2014, he interviewed UKIP leader Nigel Farage, critically addressing Farage’s comments on language use and immigration, which generated controversy. Ofcom later ruled in October 2014 that O'Brien had breached broadcasting standards during coverage of the 2014 Clacton by-election.
Between 2014 and 2015, O'Brien extensively covered false VIP sex abuse allegations promoted by the discredited Exaro News, based on testimony from Carl Beech, who was subsequently convicted of perverting justice and sexual offences. O'Brien has since expressed regret over this coverage.
In August 2024, O'Brien issued an apology after endorsing a social media video that attributed some violence during the 2024 United Kingdom riots to "Zionist backers." He condemned these remarks as "obnoxious and anti-Semitic" and admitted he had not viewed the entire video prior to commenting.
In July 2025, O’Brien broadcasted a listener’s message falsely claiming that Jewish children in the UK are taught to perceive Arabs as "cockroaches" and that "one Jewish life is worth thousands of Arab lives." The antisemitic statement aired without challenge and was condemned by Jewish organizations including the Campaign Against Antisemitism and the Board of Deputies. Hertfordshire's police commissioner publicly called for LBC to replace O'Brien following this incident.
O’Brien later apologized, stating he had read the message “in good faith” and regretted not scrutinizing its content more carefully.
Podcast
In October 2017, O'Brien introduced the podcast Unfiltered with James O'Brien on JOE.co.uk, which continued until November 2018. Guests of distinction featured on the show included Russell Brand, Alastair Campbell, Lily Allen, Jon Ronson, Gary Lineker, and Sir Nick Clegg.
March 2019 saw the launch of his podcast Full Disclosure with James O'Brien, showcasing prominent figures such as former Prime Minister Tony Blair, David Mitchell, Nicky Campbell, Margaret Atwood, Michael Morpurgo, Keir Starmer, and, as of February 2024, Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats.
Books
O'Brien’s 2015 publication, Loathe Thy Neighbour, released by Elliott & Thompson, explores perspectives on immigration.
His 2018 book, How To Be Right... in a World Gone Wrong, provides insights into contemporary issues and attained the fifth position on The Sunday Times' best sellers chart.
In 2023, How They Broke Britain, published through W. H. Allen, rapidly became a bestseller.
Political ideology
Although O'Brien cast his vote for Boris Johnson in the 2008 London mayoral race, he later expressed regret over this decision. He identifies more as a 'liberal' than 'left-wing' and has characterized himself as politically unaligned—critical of the British Left during Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership but receiving support from liberal outlets such as New Statesman and The Guardian.
He frequently engages in discussions about Brexit with callers, often contending that voters who supported Leave were deceived during the 2016 EU referendum. In 2023, he was placed 38th on the New Statesman's Left Power List, described as a "liberal firebrand" and "master of the sound-bite."
Personal life
O'Brien is married to psychotherapist Lucy McDonald and they have two daughters together. He is an admirer of Kidderminster Harriers F.C..
Publications
- Loathe Thy Neighbour, 2015, Elliott and Thompson
- How To Be Right... in a World Gone Wrong, 2018, W. H. Allen
- How Not To Be Wrong: The Art of Changing Your Mind, 2020, W. H. Allen
- How They Broke Britain, 2023, W. H. Allen