Barry Norman CBE Is New Lord's Taverners President

Film critic and cricket fan, Barry Norman CBE, has been confirmed as the new President of the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity, The Lord’s Taverners. He takes over from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? host Chris Tarrant, who has stood down after a busy two years at the helm.

Barry is the latest in an illustrious list of showbiz celebrities to serve as President of The Lord’s Taverners since the charity was established in the Tavern at Lord’s Cricket Ground in 1950, following in the footsteps of the likes of Sir John Mills, Sir Harry Secombe, Eric Morecambe OBE, Ronnie Corbett OBE, Sir Terry Wogan and Sir David Frost.

The former BBC Film presenter has been a supporter of The Lord’s Taverners for over 30 years, first becoming involved following a recommendation from the late Sir Bill Cotton, the former BBC Head of Light Entertainment. Barry has been a regular fixture in the Charity’s celebrity cricket team since 1980 and most recently hosted a Q&A with celebrity cricket fans including comedian, Alan Davies, and former Rolling Stone, Bill Wyman, at a Lord’s Taverners fundraising lunch at Lord’s in April.

Barry Norman CBE, new President of The Lord’s Taverners, said: "It is a great honour to become President of this fantastic Charity, especially when looking back at the list of previous Presidents. Cricket has always been a big passion of mine and I hope to be able to help The Lord’s Taverners give even more young people a sporting chance in life by encouraging them to enjoy the benefits that sports like cricket can bring."