Robert Elms

Robert Elms is a broadcaster, writer, and journalist, best known for his long-running, eponymous radio show on BBC Radio London. For over 40 years, he has been one of the most distinctive voices in British media, celebrated for his insightful, witty, and wide-ranging reflections on life in the capital. His award-winning programme is one of the most listened-to shows on British local radio, covering culture, music, and the everyday rhythms of London life.

Elms began his career as a journalist, contributing to influential publications such as The Face and NME, where he quickly established himself as a sharp and original voice on youth culture and urban life. He later became an editor at The Face in his early twenties and went on to write for leading British newspapers and international magazines.

Alongside print journalism, Elms built a distinguished broadcasting career with the BBC, including work on Loose Endson BBC Radio 4, where he won his first Sony Award. His radio work has since become central to his public profile, particularly his BBC Radio London show, which has made him a defining chronicler of the city he has always called home.

He is also the author of several books, including Live!: Why We Go Out, London Made Us, The Way We Wore, Spain: A Portrait After the General, and In Search of the Crack. His latest memoir, Blitz, was published by Faber in 2025 to coincide with the Design Museum exhibition of the same name, and will be released in paperback on 8 October.

Born in London in 1959, Robert Elms lives in the city with his wife and children.