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Roy Walker (born Robert Walker on 31 July 1940 in Belfast) is a Northern Irish comedian and television presenter whose career spans club stand-up, television variety and long‑running game‑show presentation. After early work in the Harland and Wolff shipyard and seven years in the British Army, Walker moved into showbusiness, winning the ITV talent show New Faces in 1977 and becoming a regular on the ITV stand‑up showcase The Comedians. He is best known as the original presenter of ITV's family game show Catchphrase, which he hosted from 1986 to 1999. Walker later made numerous guest and panel appearances on UK television, appeared in the feature film The Jealous God (2005) and took part in documentary and reality formats such as The Real Marigold Hotel (2016). He has also worked as a radio presenter and continues to appear at after‑dinner and live comedy events.

... Born in Belfast on 31 July 1940, Robert “Roy” Walker worked as a riveter at the Harland and Wolff shipyard and was Ireland hammer‑throw champion before a seven‑year spell in the British Army. He began performing in Northern Ireland clubs and moved to England after running a pawn shop in Belfast. Walker achieved national recognition after winning ITV’s New Faces in 1977 and becoming a regular on the late‑1970s stand‑up showcase The Comedians. In 1986 he was chosen to present the ITV game show Catchphrase, a role he carried out until 1999 and for which he became widely associated. Following Catchphrase, Walker maintained a steady presence on television: he made cameo and guest appearances on sitcoms and panel shows, competed on celebrity reality formats, fronted radio series for BBC Radio Ulster and featured in the 2005 film The Jealous God as a Monsignor. Later TV highlights include a cameo in Phoenix Nights (2001), a stint on the celebrity edition of Come Dine with Me (2009), and part in the BBC travel documentary series The Real Marigold Hotel (2016). Walker has three children (including theatre actress Josie Walker) and lives in Lytham St Annes. Then & Now The 1980s In the 1980s Roy Walker moved from Northern Irish club stand-up and television spots on The Comedians into national prominence, culminating in his appointment in 1986 as the original presenter of ITV’s family game show Catchphrase. His genial delivery, comic asides and knack for engaging a broad audience quickly made him a household name and helped anchor the show as a staple of Saturday‑night entertainment. The decade established Walker as one of British television’s familiar faces and defined the warm, accessible hosting style for which he is best remembered. Now (2026) As of 2026 Walker remains a familiar figure on the circuit, making guest and panel appearances, hosting occasional radio slots and performing at after‑dinner and live comedy events while keeping a reduced public profile. He has continued to pop up in occasional film and documentary projects since his Catchphrase years, and his enduring legacy is the fond association with the original Catchphrase and the affable, family‑friendly game‑show host archetype he helped popularise. Fans and fellow performers alike remember him for bringing warmth and humour to mainstream television across several decades. Career timeline 1940 Born Robert Walker in Belfast, Northern Ireland (31 July). 1950s–1960s Worked as a riveter at Harland and Wolff and competed as Ireland hammer‑throw champion; later served seven years in the British Army. Late 1960s–1970s Toured working men's clubs and cabaret in England after moving from Belfast; built a reputation as a club compère and stand‑up comic. 1977 Won the ITV talent show New Faces, earning national exposure. 1970s Regular performer on the ITV stand‑up showcase The Comedians. 1986 Became the original host/presenter of ITV's game show Catchphrase. 1999 Concluded his run as host of Catchphrase, after which the show later had other hosts. 2001 Appeared as himself in the first episode of Channel 4 sitcom Phoenix Nights. 2005 Appeared in the feature film The Jealous God in the role of Monsignor. 2009 Won a celebrity edition of Come Dine with Me (broadcast 1 November 2009) and appeared on companion show Britain's Got More Talent. 2016 Took part in the BBC documentary series The Real Marigold Hotel (three‑part series). Memorable screen quotes “Say what you see!”Catchphrase (1986) Public reference sources Public biography and credit reference.Roy Walker (comedian) – Wikipedia Public biography and credit reference.Roy – Wikipedia (disambiguation) Biographical and credit details were checked against Roy Walker (comedian) – Wikipedia, Roy – Wikipedia (disambiguation).