Andrew Pierce, born Patrick Connolly, is a British journalist, editor, author, broadcaster, and political commentator. A regular on television and radio, Andrew Pierce has enjoyed a stellar career in the media for over 40 years. He writes mainly non-fiction and is best known for his columns in the Daily Mail and his book Finding Margaret (2024).
Andrew Pierce was born in Bristol to an Irish Catholic mother and an unknown father. He spent his early years in Nazareth House, a Catholic orphanage in Cheltenham before being adopted by a family from Swindon. His adoptive father worked on the assembly line at British Leyland, a state-owned car factory.
Pierce received his education at St Joseph's Roman Catholic School, now known as St Joseph's Catholic College, a state comprehensive school in Swindon. He did not pursue a university education.
Starting his career in journalism, Pierce became a former assistant editor of both The Daily Telegraph and The Times newspapers. He also served as the political editor of The Times. In 2009, he joined the Daily Mail as a columnist and consultant editor.
From 2008 to 2012, Pierce presented a Sunday morning political radio show on LBC 97.3, later co-hosted by the Daily Mirror's Kevin Maguire. This double act continued on the BBC, ITV, and Sky News, reviewing and dissecting media and politics. On March 22, 2014, Pierce began presenting a Saturday breakfast show on LBC Radio.
In 2014, the Daily Mail had to pay damages to Kirsten Farage after Pierce falsely claimed she had been Nigel Farage's mistress. In May 2018, the Daily Mail paid £11,000 towards writer Kate Maltby's legal costs after an article by Pierce about her sexual harassment claims was removed from the Mail's website.
Pierce has been involved with the Iris Prize Festival, a prominent LGBT short film festival in Cardiff, Wales. He became its Patron in 2007 and its first Chair in 2013. Under his leadership, the festival introduced a new category, Best British Short, and secured a significant sponsorship deal with Pinewood Studios Group.
In his personal life, Pierce remains a Catholic and is openly gay. He lives in a long-term civil partnership established under the Civil Partnership Act 2004. However, he has opposed the introduction of same-sex marriage. In a BBC documentary in 2018, Pierce expressed his strong opposition to taxpayer-funded PrEP, a medication to prevent HIV, criticizing it as "indulging gay men who don't want to use a condom."
Pierce's book, Finding Margaret (2024), details his search for his birth mother as he approached fifty. Despite feeling like he was betraying his adoptive parents, Pierce embarked on a journey to find his biological mother, leading him to Ireland in search of his potential father. The book reveals the mistreatment he suffered at the orphanage and his attempts to build a relationship with the woman who gave him away.
Andrew Pierce lives in London.
Photo credit: X @toryboypierce
Andrew Pierce was born in Bristol to an Irish Catholic mother and an unknown father. He spent his early years in Nazareth House, a Catholic orphanage in Cheltenham before being adopted by a family from Swindon. His adoptive father worked on the assembly line at British Leyland, a state-owned car factory.
Pierce received his education at St Joseph's Roman Catholic School, now known as St Joseph's Catholic College, a state comprehensive school in Swindon. He did not pursue a university education.
Starting his career in journalism, Pierce became a former assistant editor of both The Daily Telegraph and The Times newspapers. He also served as the political editor of The Times. In 2009, he joined the Daily Mail as a columnist and consultant editor.
From 2008 to 2012, Pierce presented a Sunday morning political radio show on LBC 97.3, later co-hosted by the Daily Mirror's Kevin Maguire. This double act continued on the BBC, ITV, and Sky News, reviewing and dissecting media and politics. On March 22, 2014, Pierce began presenting a Saturday breakfast show on LBC Radio.
In 2014, the Daily Mail had to pay damages to Kirsten Farage after Pierce falsely claimed she had been Nigel Farage's mistress. In May 2018, the Daily Mail paid £11,000 towards writer Kate Maltby's legal costs after an article by Pierce about her sexual harassment claims was removed from the Mail's website.
Pierce has been involved with the Iris Prize Festival, a prominent LGBT short film festival in Cardiff, Wales. He became its Patron in 2007 and its first Chair in 2013. Under his leadership, the festival introduced a new category, Best British Short, and secured a significant sponsorship deal with Pinewood Studios Group.
In his personal life, Pierce remains a Catholic and is openly gay. He lives in a long-term civil partnership established under the Civil Partnership Act 2004. However, he has opposed the introduction of same-sex marriage. In a BBC documentary in 2018, Pierce expressed his strong opposition to taxpayer-funded PrEP, a medication to prevent HIV, criticizing it as "indulging gay men who don't want to use a condom."
Pierce's book, Finding Margaret (2024), details his search for his birth mother as he approached fifty. Despite feeling like he was betraying his adoptive parents, Pierce embarked on a journey to find his biological mother, leading him to Ireland in search of his potential father. The book reveals the mistreatment he suffered at the orphanage and his attempts to build a relationship with the woman who gave him away.
Andrew Pierce lives in London.
Photo credit: X @toryboypierce
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