Chris Needs MBE (1954'2020) was one of Wales' best-loved broadcasters, best known for his long-running late-night show on BBC Radio Wales. Born and raised in Cwmafan, near Port Talbot, he began his working life as a pianist and entertainer in clubs at home and abroad before moving into radio in 1990, joining BBC Radio Wales in 1996.
His nightly programme, which became known as 'The Friendly Garden', ran for close to two decades and earned him a devoted following across Wales for its warm, personal style. He won a Sony Radio Academy Award for his broadcasting, and in 2005 he was appointed MBE for services to broadcasting and charity, having founded and led the Chris Needs Hospital Appeal in support of hospitals across South Wales.
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The MBE-honoured host of BBC Radio Wales' beloved 'Friendly Garden', celebrated for his warmth and decades of charity fundraising.
Chris Needs MBE
Broadcaster, entertainer and stage performer
Born and raised in Cwmafan, near Port Talbot, Chris Needs was proudly and openly Welsh throughout his career, which he built almost entirely around Wales through BBC Radio Wales.
Beyond broadcasting, Needs was a trained pianist and school music teacher who spent years performing in clubs in Spain and Gibraltar before returning to Wales to build a broadcasting career. His late-night show became a fixture for listeners across Wales seeking a comforting, familiar voice, and his charitable work through the Chris Needs Hospital Appeal raised substantial sums for hospitals in South Wales over many years.
Career Highlights
Awarded an MBE in the 2005 New Year Honours for services to broadcasting and charity.
Presented BBC Radio Wales' late-night 'Friendly Garden' show for close to two decades.
Won a Sony Radio Academy Award, presented in 1996 by Michael Aspel.
ℹ️ Chris Needs was born on the 12th of March, 1954, in Cwmafan, near Port Talbot.
ℹ️ Chris Needs died on the 26th of July, 2020.
Born and raised in Cwmafan, near Port Talbot, Chris Needs was proudly and openly Welsh throughout his career, which he built almost entirely around Wales through BBC Radio Wales.
From: garden
His Sony Award was presented in 1996 at a ceremony in London by Michael Aspel.