View source for Iain Lee

{{Short description|English broadcaster, writer, and former television presenter and stand-up comedian}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2012}}

{{Infobox person
| name               = Iain Lee
| image              = Iain Lee Hosting The Rabbit Hole Show (cropped).jpg
| image_size         = 200px
| caption            = Lee hosting ''The Rabbit Hole Show'' in 2017
| birth_name         = Iain Lee Rougvie
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1973|6|9|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Slough]], [[Buckinghamshire]],<!-- Slough was in Buckinghamshire in 1973 --> England
| alias              = Iain Felix Diamond Lee
| occupation         = [[Broadcasting|Broadcaster]], [[writer]], [[comedian]]
| children           = 2
| website            = {{URL|https://iainlee.com}}
}}

'''Iain Felix Diamond Lee''' (born '''Iain Lee Rougvie'''; 9 June 1973) is an English broadcaster, writer, and comedian who hosts the phone-in talk show ''The Late Night Alternative'' on [[Patreon]].

Lee's career began in the 1990s as a stand-up comedian before he gained nationwide fame as co-host of ''[[The 11 O'Clock Show]]'' from 1998 to 2000 and the breakfast show ''[[RI:SE]]'' in 2003. He began a full-time radio career in 2005, hosting mainly talk-based shows on [[LBC|LBC 97.3]], [[Absolute Radio]], [[BBC Three Counties Radio]], [[BBC Radio WM]], and [[Talkradio|talkRADIO]], which earned him numerous radio awards. In July 2020, after his contract at talkRADIO was not renewed, Lee launched his Twitch show.<ref name="talksport.com">{{cite web |url=http://talksport.com/press/talkradio-announces-presenter-line-and-launch-date-160208184289 |title=talkRADIO announces presenter line-up and launch date |work=talkSPORT|date=8 February 2016 }}</ref><ref name="Twitch">{{cite tweet |last=Lee |first=Iain |user=iainlee |number=1281704203078033409 |date=10 July 2020 |title=Here's the exciting press release for #TLNA with me AND @FlippinKath launches July 20th at 9pm |access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref>

==Early life==
Iain Lee Rougvie was born on 9 June 1973 in [[Slough]], then a part of [[Buckinghamshire]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/news/15697511.radio-star-iain-lee-winning-peoples-hearts/|title=Radio star Iain winning people's hearts|website=Slough Observer|date=3 December 2017 }}</ref> He has Scottish roots.<ref name=TI05/> Lee's father worked at the props department at the BBC and his mother was a secretary until she developed [[multiple sclerosis]] which put her into an early retirement. The couple divorced when Lee was a youngster.<ref name=TI05/>

Lee was raised on a [[council estate]] and recalled being bullied by fellow pupils because they considered him posh.<ref name=TI08>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/property/house-and-home/dj-iain-lee-a-home-for-everything-791167.html|title=DJ Iain Lee: A home for everything|first=Tessa|last=Williams-Akoto|date=5 March 2008|work=The Independent|access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref> By the late 1990s, Lee had dropped the "Rougvie" from his name. He officially changed his name to Iain Lee by [[deed poll]] in 2008, due to his troubled relationship with his father.<ref name=IL150122>{{cite web|url=https://www.iainlee.com/2015/01/22/6-chapter-1-something-on-the-horizon/|title=6 – Chapter 1 : Something On The Horizon|first=Iain|last=Lee|publisher=IainLee.com|date=22 January 2015|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013232045/https://www.iainlee.com/2015/01/22/6-chapter-1-something-on-the-horizon/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Lee is the nephew of Scottish former footballer [[Doug Rougvie]]. He attended [[Herschel Grammar School]] in Slough and studied performing arts at [[Middlesex University]].<ref name=TI08/>

==Career==

===Comedy===
Lee began a [[stand-up comedy]] career in the 1990s, initially performing on the London circuit exclusively before touring nationwide. Lee considers his time as a stand-up to be a low point in his life, due to the fact that he started [[Substance abuse|abusing drugs and alcohol]] during this time. He met [[Mackenzie Crook]], who was also a stand-up comic at the time and the two became friends.<ref name=BTT20>{{cite web|url=http://www.beyondthetitle.co.uk/portfolio/iain-lee/|title=Iain Lee – In Conversation|date=July 2020|publisher=Beyond the Title|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref>

===Radio===
Lee began his radio career in December 1997, presenting a four-hour show on [[Heart 103.3|Horizon 103.3]], an independent station in [[Milton Keynes]], on Christmas Day. At that point, he was 24 years old with only fifteen minutes experience in a studio and did not take any compliance or [[Ofcom]] regulation exam prior.<ref name=IL150122/> Lee went on to feature on the station's breakfast show ''The Morning Crew'' hosted by Trevor Marshall and Helen Legh, as Iain in Black Thunder and Iain McCartney.<ref name=IL150122/> From 1999 to 2001, Lee hosted a show on [[Xfm London]].

Lee embarked on a full-time radio career in January 2005, starting with a stint on talk station [[LBC|LBC 97.3]]. He joined the station hosting weekend evenings before moving to afternoon drive, which he named ''The 3 Hour 4 'Till 7 Iain Lee Afternoon Wireless Show'' and later ''The 3-and-a-Half Hour 3 'Till 6.30 Iain Lee Afternoon Wireless Show''. Lee was known for hosting a segment named Triple M (also known as Mental Mayhem or Mick's Mental Mayhem), where calls went straight to air without being pre-screened, which [[Nick Abbot]], [[Tommy Boyd]], and [[Clive Bull]] had also done. The segment received its own dedicated slot on Sunday nights in 2007. At the time, management favoured the unique format as they hoped that it would introduce exclusive listeners to the radio station. Lee then hosted the 7–10pm weekday slot which was named ''Iain Lee's Good Evening''. In 2007, [[Global Radio]] purchased LBC which led to a change in management, who introduced a talk format of topical and news-driven conversation. Lee's presenting style fell out of favour and he left the station without prior announcement in November 2007.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/nov/06/commercialradio.radio?gusrc=rss&feed=media | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Lee leaves LBC evening slot | first=John | last=Plunkett | date=6 November 2007 | access-date=4 May 2010}}</ref>

In January 2008, Lee began to host ''[[Sunday Night Show|The Sunday Night Show]]'' on Virgin Radio, later [[Absolute Radio]], from 10pm to 1am that featured music and talk.{{cn|date=October 2024}} In April 2009, Lee wrestled a listener which was broadcast the following month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjeNJNnPYpE|title=Iain "GENERAL" Lee v Matt "THE PAIN" Early - 28th April 2009|last=The Malloys|date=19 April 2009|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=August 2025}} From 12 October 2009, Lee took over the Monday to Thursday evening slot. In October 2011, the station announced that Lee's contract would be terminated with immediate effect by mutual agreement. His departure occurred during a court case in which a listener was accused of harassing Lee, his wife, and the show's producer.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/18/absolute-radio-iain-lee-leave|title=Absolute Radio's Iain Lee leaves station|first=John|last=Plunkett|newspaper=The Guardian |date=18 October 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Next Radio 2015 (21274340969).jpg|right|upright|thumb|Lee in 2015]]
From 2012 to 2015, Lee presented the weekday breakfast show on [[BBC Three Counties Radio]], a local service that served Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. He later said that he accepted the job as he was unable to find work elsewhere, and felt "crushed" and a little humiliated about taking it at first.<ref name=IN20/> From December 2013, Lee also presented a Saturday morning show on [[BBC Radio WM]], the BBC's West Midlands service, which was followed by a Friday afternoon slot on the station from September 2014. He left the station in the following August, citing that management considered Lee hosting both slots as "odd" and wanted him to just present on Saturdays, which he rejected.<ref>{{cite news|title=Iain Lee departs BBC WM 95.6 after mix-up|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/08/iain-lee-departs-bbc-wm-95-6-after-mix-up/|access-date=12 December 2017|work=[[Radio Today (website)|RadioToday.co.uk]]|date=August 2015}}</ref> 

In May 2014, Lee's Three Counties show won a [[Radio Academy Awards|Radio Academy Award]] for Breakfast Show of the Year (Under 10 Million).<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Rabbit Hole TV|date=14 May 2014|title=Iain Lee 3 Counties Radio Breakfast Show wins Gold at the Radio Academy Awards 2014|medium=Television production|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f97P4ARgazw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/f97P4ARgazw |archive-date=22 December 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=11 December 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 12 August 2014, Lee was accused of making a racist remark to his producer following a spoof on-air argument, in which Lee said; "Go on, go and do the black and Asian show. Bye bye."<ref name="The Guardian">{{cite news |title=BBC apologises for Iain Lee's 'go and do the black and Asian show' comment |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/aug/12/bbc-apologises-iain-lee-producer-black-asian-show |access-date=28 August 2020 |work=The Guardian|date=12 August 2014}}</ref> The argument was described as banter and the BBC apologised for the comments.<ref name="The Guardian"/> In November 2015, Lee was dismissed from Three Counties. His departure followed complaints received about his interview with a lawyer from [[Christian Concern]] earlier in the month, in which Lee accused her of being "bigoted" and "[[Homophobia|homophobic]]" after she defended a minister quoting verses from the Bible condemning homosexuality as sinful.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/11/iain-lee-departs-bbc-three-counties-radio/|title=Iain Lee departs BBC Three Counties Radio|date=14 November 2015|work=[[Radio Today (website)|RadioToday.co.uk]]}}</ref>

In February 2016, Lee announced that he had joined the first line-up of presenters for the launch of a new talk radio station, [[Talkradio|talkRADIO]]. The station began to air on 21 March 2016, with Lee hosting ''The Late Night Alternative'' from 10pm to 1 am on weekdays.<ref name="talksport.com"/><ref name=IN20/> In 2017, he won a Gold Award at the [[Audio and Radio Industry Award]]s in the Best Speech Presenter – Non-Breakfast category.<ref>{{cite web|title=Audio Radio Industry Awards 2017 – winners|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2017/10/audio-radio-industry-awards-2017-winners/|work=[[Radio Today (website)|RadioToday.co.uk]]|access-date=20 October 2017}}</ref> He won a second in 2020, this time for Moment of the Year for directing emergency services to a caller who had taken an overdose.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iain Lee intervenes to help Plymouth overdose man |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-46634253 |access-date=30 December 2018 |work=BBC News |date=20 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite news|date=5 March 2020|title=Greg James and Dotty win big at 'radio Oscars'|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51748072|access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref> Despite the success, Lee announced on 2 June 2020 that his contract was not renewed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iain Lee announces departure from talkRADIO after 4 years |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/06/iain-lee-announces-departure-from-talkradio-after-4-years/ |website=RadioToday |date=2 June 2020}}</ref>

On 10 July 2020, Lee announced that he had been signed by [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] to continue hosting ''The Late Night Alternative'' on its streaming platform. The first launched on 20 July and is recorded from Lee's home in [[Aylesbury]], Buckinghamshire.<ref name="Twitch"/><ref name=TG20/> The show allows video calls from viewers worldwide.<ref name=IN20>{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/iain-lee-talks-breakdowns-bust-ups-and-why-hes-taking-his-award-winning-radio-show-to-twitch-543410|title=Iain Lee talks breakdowns, bust-ups and why he's taking his award-winning radio show to Twitch|first=Adam|last=Sherwin|date=17 July 2020|publisher=iNews|access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref>

In June 2022, Lee was announced as the new presenter of [[Jack FM (United Kingdom)|Jack FM]]'s breakfast show, ''Iain Lee’s Rude Awakening'', from 4 July.<ref>{{cite news |title=Radio station changes schedule for first time in 15 years |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/20202997.jackfm-changes-presenters-schedule/ |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=Oxford Mail |date=11 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=All change at JACKfm as Iain Lee gets a Rude Awakening |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2022/06/all-change-at-jackfm-as-iain-lee-gets-a-rude-awakening/ |website=RadioToday |access-date=24 June 2022 |date=10 June 2022}}</ref> On 6 February 2023, Lee announced his retirement from radio in order to focus more on his work as a counsellor.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/02/06/iain-lee-retiring-from-broadcasting-to-focus-on-career-in-counselling-18233118/ |access-date=6 February 2023 |title=Iain Lee 'retiring' from broadcasting as he hands in notice at radio station to focus on career in counselling |date=6 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Iain Lee quits JACK fm and announces retirement from radio |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/02/iain-lee-quits-jack-fm-and-announces-retirement-from-radio/ |website=RadioToday |date=6 February 2023}}</ref>

Lee presented his final radio show on 8 February 2023, on Jack FM, in a show which featured previous regular callers and producers from across his career.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

===Television===
From 1998 to 2000, Lee was a correspondent and co-host of the satirical comedy show ''[[The 11 O'Clock Show]]'' on [[Channel 4]]. The show was known for introducing comedians [[Sacha Baron Cohen]] and [[Ricky Gervais]]. In one incident, Lee received death threats and had a [[Stalking|stalker]] after he joked about [[Danniella Westbrook]] and her drug use. The police advised him to move out of his flat; he lived with [[Mackenzie Crook]] and in a hotel before the matter was resolved.<ref name=TI05/> In January 2000, Lee and co-host [[Daisy Donovan]] were criticised by [[Ofcom]] for making "death jokes" on the recently murdered [[Jill Dando]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Channel 4 rapped over Dando |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/620283.stm |access-date=28 August 2020 |publisher=BBC |date=27 January 2000}}</ref> After four series, Lee walked out five days before filming of the fifth was due to start. He later said that it was an unfair move, but felt the quality of the show's humour had declined and Channel 4 had cut its budget. Lee said he would have earned £90,000 if he had stayed.<ref name=TI05>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/iain-lee-almost-famous-488548.html|title=Iain Lee: Almost famous
|first=Nick|last=Duerden|work=The Independent|date=29 January 2005|access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref>

In 2002, Lee accepted an offer to co-host a relaunch of the Channel 4 live breakfast show ''[[RI:SE]]'' with reality television star [[Kate Lawler]], from January 2003. The show failed to make an impact in viewing figures, however, and it ended in December 2003.<ref name=BTT20/> By this time, Lee described himself as a "full blown [[Cocaine dependence|cocaine addict]]" and would often smoke [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] before filming ''RI:SE'' and take cocaine afterwards.<ref name=BTT20/> Lee described the year 2004 as "absolutely terrible" in regard to his career. He started to [[Alcohol abuse|binge drink]] to cope with the stress,<ref name=TI05/> and spent around £2,000 on cocaine each week.<ref name=BTT20/> Lee went on to present the video game show ''[[Thumb Bandits]]'' on Channel 4. Later he made regular appearances on [[Sky News]] and ''[[This Morning (TV programme)|This Morning]]'', and hosted the ''[[Big Brother (UK TV series)|Big Brother]]'' companion series ''[[List of Big Brother (UK) shows#Big Brother's Bit on the Side|Bit on the Psych]]'' for [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]].

In November 2017, Lee took part in the [[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (UK series 17)|seventeenth series]] of ''[[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (UK TV series)|I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!]]''. Lee entered the show on Day 5. During the show, Lee was elected Prime Minister of 10 Downing Creek. Lee made it to the final and finished in third place. He spoke openly about mental health whilst participating in the show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/im-a-celebrity-iain-becky-13968267|title=I'm A Celebrity stars open up about depression and suicidal thoughts|first=Katie|last=Fitzpatrick|date=28 November 2017|website=men}}</ref>

From the start of 2018, Lee was on the breakfast TV show ''[[Good Morning Britain (2014 TV programme)|Good Morning Britain]]'', filling in for [[Richard Arnold (presenter)|Richard Arnold]] who was taking a 3-week break.<ref name="goodmorning1">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/good-morning-britain/news/a846009/richard-arnold-taking-a-break-from-good-morning-britain/ |title=Richard Arnold taking a break from Good Morning Britain: "I'm disappearing for a while" |last=Agius |first=Nicola |date=22 December 2017|website=Digital Spy |access-date=23 December 2017}}</ref><ref name="goodmorning2">{{cite news |last1=Moir |first1=Sophia |title=I'm A Celebrity's Iain Lee lands a job as showbiz reporter on GMB |url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/12/22/im-celebritys-iain-lee-lands-job-showbiz-reporter-gmb-7178916/ |access-date=21 February 2018 |work=[[Metro (website)|Metro]] |date=22 December 2017}}</ref>

===Other work===
Lee currently writes a column in the [[Retro Gamer]] magazine.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.retrovideogamer.co.uk/rvg-interviews-iain-lee/ | title=RVG Interviews: Iain Lee | date=31 May 2019 }}</ref> He wrote a gaming column for [[MSN]].co.uk, as well as recording monthly podcasts.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Iain|title=Console Wars: Iain Lee takes sides|url=http://tech.uk.msn.com/gaming/article.aspx?cp-documentid=7838134|url-status=dead|access-date=24 February 2018|work=[[MSN|MSN Tech and Gadgets UK]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327011328/http://tech.uk.msn.com/gaming/article.aspx?cp-documentid=7838134|archive-date=27 March 2008}}</ref> He has also appeared on [[XLeague.tv]] discussing video games.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2008/mar/18/gamesdontmakegoodtvsayse|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|title=Games don't make good TV, says ex-videogame TV show presenter|first=Keith|last=Stuart|date=18 March 2008|access-date=4 May 2010}}</ref>

Lee has appeared on [[BBC Radio 4]]'s ''[[Loose Ends (radio)|Loose Ends]]'', and presented the official ''[[Big Brother (UK TV series)|Big Brother]]'' radio show with co-host [[Gemma Cairney]], entitled ''Big Brother's Big Ears''. Lee has also been heard as a [[continuity announcer]] on the TV channel [[Dave (TV channel)|Dave]].<ref>{{cite AV media|last1=Butler|first1=Robert|date=27 October 2009|title=Behind the scenes at Dave with Iain Lee|medium=Documentary|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXl3f5tzjWw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/dXl3f5tzjWw |archive-date=22 December 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=24 February 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In August 2007, Lee launched a podcast entitled ''Iain Lee Presents... Shindiggery''. It ended in November 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iainlee.libsyn.com/|title=Iain Lee Presents...Shindiggery<!-- Bot generated title -->|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220121658/http://www.iainlee.libsyn.com/|archive-date=20 December 2008}}</ref>

In 2009, Lee took part in an experimental comedy performance by artists [[Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard]] in [[Sheffield]] called Performer. Audience. Fuck Off,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sitegallery.org/archives/2203 |title=Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard |access-date=30 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531105236/http://www.sitegallery.org/archives/2203 |archive-date=31 May 2014}}</ref> a spin-off to the Performer/Audience/Mirror originally conceived in 1975 by American artist [[Dan Graham]], whereby the performer does their act behind a mirror reflecting the audience.

In February 2012, Lee launched ''The Iain Lee Pocket Radio Show'', a podcast similar in style to his radio shows but utilised various social media platforms for content. Most of it featured conversations with listeners via phone calls or Skype chats. Listeners were also invited to interact with the show by sending [[AudioBoo]]s to be included in the recording. The podcast also included Lee interviewing guests and celebrity news with Elisa Roche.

Lee had a cameo role in a music video for the British IBM's self-titled single, released in 2012.<ref>{{cite AV media|date=17 July 2012|title=the British IBM - the British IBM|medium=Music video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCyLLFNh24E |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/gCyLLFNh24E |archive-date=22 December 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=24 February 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{primary-inline|date=August 2025}}

In 2015, Lee and [[Glenn Gretlund]] formed 7a Records, an independent record label specialising in obscure recordings by [[The Monkees]] and the group's members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theseconddisc.com/2015/07/02/im-a-believer-micky-dolenzs-rare-mgm-singles-arriving-on-deluxe-reissue/|title=I'm A Believer: Micky Dolenz's Rare MGM Singles Arriving on Deluxe Reissue - The Second Disc|author=Joe Marchese|work=The Second Disc|date=2 July 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://theseconddisc.com/2017/11/im-a-believer-7a-brings-micky-dolenz-concert-with-orchestra-to-cd-and-vinyl/|title=I'm a Believer: 7a Brings Micky Dolenz Concert with Orchestra to CD and Vinyl|website=theseconddisc.com|date=14 November 2017 }}</ref> In 2020, Lee sold his share of the company.<ref>{{cite web |title=7A RECORDS LIMITED filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09758316/filing-history |website=Companies House |access-date=3 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>{{primary-inline|date=August 2025}}

===The Late Night Alternative===
[[File:Iain Lee and Katherine Boyle (44060717964).jpg|thumb|Lee and Boyle]]
'''''The Late Night Alternative''''' (TLNA) is an online [[phone-in]] show Lee and Katherine Boyle hosted on streaming platform [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]]. The programme was first broadcast on British radio station [[Talkradio]] between March 2016 and June 2020, and won several [[Audio and Radio Industry Awards]], including 'Best Speech Presenter – Non-Breakfast' for Lee. In July 2020, Lee and Boyle announced the programme's return via Twitch, with the first episode airing on 20 July.<ref name="Twitch"/>

In May 2017, Lee and Boyle created a record for a phone-in British radio show when the pair took over 150 calls in one three hour show, after announcing anyone could call and would be put through straight to air. The attempt to take a world record 200 calls failed when the phone system broke down due to the number of callers attempting to get through.<ref>{{cite AV media |people=Lee, Iain |date=26 May 2017 |title=Withheld, Straight to Air Calls All Night - Late Nights with Iain Lee on talkRADIO |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo88LQ1pvcc}}</ref>

On 19 December 2018, a man called the show after a [[drug overdose]]. Lee kept the man on the line whilst Boyle directed the emergency services to his location, with many on social media praising Lee's decisive actions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iain Lee intervenes to help Plymouth overdose man |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-46634253 |accessdate=30 December 2018 |work=BBC News |date=20 December 2018}}</ref> Lee stated on 24 December 2018 that the man had survived and was now back home after receiving specialist treatment for two days.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iain Lee says 'dying' Plymouth man who called him is 'back home' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-46685367 |accessdate=30 December 2018 |work=BBC News |date=26 December 2018}}</ref> Lee and Boyle were later awarded a Gold in the 'Moment of the Year' category at the 2020 Audio and Radio Industry Awards for this call.<ref name="auto"/>

On 2 June 2020, Lee announced his contract at Talkradio would not be renewed, having presented his final programme the previous evening.<ref>{{cite web|date=2 June 2020|title=Iain Lee announces departure from talkRADIO after 4 years|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/06/iain-lee-announces-departure-from-talkradio-after-4-years/|website=RadioToday}}</ref> On 10 July 2020, the pair issued a press release confirming they had been signed by [[internet streaming]] service Twitch and would re-launch the programme on 20 July.<ref name="Twitch"/>

==Personal life==
In March 2018, Lee announced that he and his wife, broadcaster Helena Wilkinson, were getting [[divorce]]d. The couple have two sons.<ref name=ES19>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/talkradio-presenter-iian-lee-reveals-he-is-bisexual-and-says-he-had-sex-with-older-men-from-the-age-a4182466.html|title=TalkRadio presenter Iain Lee reveals he is 'bisexual' and says he had sex with older men from the age of 14|first=Rebecca|last=Speare-Cole|date=4 July 2019|work=Evening Standard|access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref> At the time of the announcement, Lee confessed he had relapsed in drug use after being sober for 13 years,<ref name=M18>{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/03/04/iain-lee-reveals-divorcing-wife-battles-obsessing-drugs-7359237/|title=Iain Lee reveals he's divorcing his wife as he battles against 'obsessing about drugs'|first=Katie|last=Baillie|date=4 March 2018|work=Metro|access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref> in a three-month period following his stint on ''I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!'', to which he credited Katherine Boyle in taking him to an [[Alcoholics Anonymous]] meeting.<ref name=IN20/> In September 2020, Lee said he had broken a two-and-a-half year period of [[sobriety]] when he relapsed on [[cocaine]].<ref name=FM10420>{{cite web|url=https://www.fm104.ie/news/buzz/im-a-celebrity-star-iain-lee-reveals-drug-relapse/|title=I'm a Celebrity star Iain Lee reveals drug relapse|first=Ellen|last=Smith|date=5 October 2020|publisher=FM 104|access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>

Lee legally changed his name to '''Iain Felix Diamond Lee''', with his middle names being chosen by his sons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/sep/29/my-past-was-chaos-iain-lee-on-abuse-cocaine-comedy-his-on-air-breakdown-and-his-sex-addict-father|title='My past was chaos': Iain Lee on abuse, cocaine, comedy, his on-air breakdown and his 'sex addict' father|first=Paula|last=Cocozza|work=The Guardian |date=29 September 2025}}</ref>

In July 2019, Lee came out as [[Bisexuality|bisexual]] on his radio show, something that he had felt embarrassed about and tried to handle it with drugs and extramarital affairs. He credited sessions with a therapist to deal with his [[Depression (mood)|depression]], which began when he started having sex with older men at fourteen. He realised that "Now I can see that it was abuse."<ref name=ES19/>

In September 2020, Lee started a college course to become a counsellor.<ref name=TG20>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jul/14/iain-lee-and-katherine-boyle-women-are-normally-sidekicks-on-the-radio|title=Iain Lee and Katherine Boyle: 'Women are normally sidekicks on the radio'|first=Gwendolyn|last=Smith|date=14 July 2020|work=The Guardian|access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref>

==Credits==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1994
|''The Danny Baker Show''
|Drummer
|1 episode
|-
|1998–2000
|''[[The 11 O'Clock Show]]''
|Presenter
|111 episodes
|-
|1998, 2000
|''[[They Think It's All Over (TV series)|They Think It's All Over]]''
|Panellist
|2 episodes
|-
|1999, 2000
|''The Channel 4 Political Awards''
|Reporter
|2 episodes
|-
|1999
|''Faking It''
|Narrator
|
|-
|1999
|''Comedy Café''
|Guest
|2 episodes
|-
|1999, 2000
|''[[Comedy Lab]]''
|Presenter
|2 episodes
|-
|2000
|''Thumb Candy: The History of Computer Games''
|Presenter
|
|-
|2001
|''E For Edge''
|Narrator
|
|-
|2001
|''[[You Don't Know Jack (franchise)|You Don't Know Jack]]''
|Host
|Unaired pilot for Channel 4. Uploaded by Lee to YouTube in September 2025
|-
|2001
|''[[Edinburgh Comedy Awards]]''
|Presenter
|
|-
|2001
|''[[I Love the '80s (UK TV series)|I Love the '80s]]''
|Guest
|7 episodes
|-
|2001
|''[[Liquid News]]''
|Presenter
|20 episodes
|-
|2001
|''Mental!''
|Presenter
|16 episodes
|-
|2001–2002
|''[[Thumb Bandits]]''
|Presenter
|13 episodes
|-
|2002
|''My Worst Week''
|Presenter
|5 episodes
|-
|2002, 2008, 2018
|''[[The Wright Stuff]]''
|Guest
|4 episodes
|-
|2002–2003
|''[[RI:SE]]''
|Presenter
|205 episodes
|-
|2003–2004
|''[[Flipside TV]]''
|Presenter
|
|-
|2003
|''Stupid Punts''
|Panellist
|1 episode
|-
|2003–2009
|''[[List of Big Brother (UK) shows#Big Brother's Little Brother|Big Brother's Little Brother]]''
|Guest
|29 episodes
|-
|2003
|''[[Q Awards]]''
|Presenter
|
|-
|2004
|''Top Buzzer''
|Booze Delivery Guy
|1 episode
|-
|2004
|''Game Stars''
|Presenter
|
|-
|2004
|''The Simpsons Quiz Show''
|Contestant
|
|-
|2004
|''[[The Weakest Link]]''
|Contestant
|1 episode
|-
|2005
|''[[Monkey Trousers]]''
|Various characters
|1 episode
|-
|2005
|''[[FAQ U]]''
|Panellist
|2 episodes
|-
|2005
|''[[8 Out of 10 Cats]]''
|Panellist
|2 episodes
|-
|2005
|''[[Channel 4 Banned season#2004/2005 Banned season|Banned in the UK]]''
|Guest
|4 episodes
|-
|2005
|''[[How to Start Your Own Country#Citizen TV|Citizen TV]]''
|Guest
|1 episode
|-
|2005
|''[[How to Start Your Own Country]]''
|Guest
|1 episode
|-
|2005–2006
|''[[Celebrity Soup]]''
|Presenter
|33 episodes
|-
|2006
|''[[Morning Glory (TV programme)|Morning Glory]]''
|Newspaper Reviewer
|1 episode
|-
|2006
|''[[Law of the Playground]]''
|Guest
|7 episodes
|-
|2006
|''TV Now and Then''
|Panellist
|1 episode
|-
|2006
|''Popcorn''
|Guest
|1 episode
|-
|2006
|''[[The Race (TV series)|The Race]]''
|Interviewer
|7 episodes
|-
|2006
|''Frank Sidebottom's Proper Telly Show''
|Guest
|1 episode
|-
|2006
|''[[Celebrity Mastermind]]''
|Contestant
|1 episode
|-
|2007
|''[[How Do They Do It?]]''
|Narrator
|20 episodes
|-
|2007
|''The Beckhams Go To Hollywood''
|Presenter
|
|-
|2007
|''Wills and Harry Go To Vegas''
|Presenter
|
|-
|2007
|''[[Tittybangbang]]''
|Various characters
|6 episodes
|-
|2008
|''The Comedy Map of Britain''
|Guest
|1 episode
|-
|2008
|''[[Ready, Steady, Cook]]''
|Contestant
|1 episode
|-
|2008–2009, 2018
|''[[The One Show]]''
|Reporter
|10 episodes
|-
|2009
|''[[Celebrity Juice]]''
|Panellist
|1 episode
|-
|2009
|''[[Big Brother (UK TV series)|Big Brother]]''
|Guest
|1 episode
|-
|2009, 2010, 2014
|''[[The Alan Titchmarsh Show]]''
|Guest
|3 episodes
|-
|2009
|''The All Star Impressions Show''
|Various Characters
|
|-
|2010
|''[[The Persuasionists]]''
|Billy Hitchens
|6 episodes
|-
|2010
|''[[The Real Hustle]]''
|Guest
|1 episode
|-
|2010
|''[[Come Dine with Me]]''
|Contestant
|1 episode
|-
|2010–2012
|''[[This Morning (TV programme)|This Morning]]''
|Newspaper Reviewer
|42 episodes
|-
|2010
|''100 Greatest Toys''
|Guest
|
|-
|2011, 2012
|''[[Let's Sing and Dance]]''
|Performer/Judge
|2 episodes
|-
|2011–2013
|''Sky News: Press Preview''
|Newspaper Reviewer
|10 episodes
|-
|2011
|''[[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!#I'm a Celebrity: Extra Camp|I'm a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here! NOW!]]''
|Guest
|4 episodes
|-
|2011–2017
|''[[Sunrise (Sky News)|Sky News: Sunrise]]''
|Newspaper Reviewer
|67 episodes
|-
|2012–2014
|''[[List of Big Brother (UK) shows#Big Brother's Bit on the Side|Big Brother's Bit on the Side]]''
|Guest
|19 episodes
|-
|2012
|''[[BBC Breakfast]]''
|Guest
|1 episode
|-
|2013–2014
|''[[Inside Out (2002 TV programme)|BBC Inside Out: London]]''
|Reporter
|5 episodes
|-
|2013–2014
|''[[List of Big Brother (UK) shows#Big Brother's Bit on the Side|Big Brother's Bit on the Psych]]''
|Presenter
|28 episodes
|-
|2015–2018
|''...Make You Laugh Out Loud''
|Voiceover
|32 episodes
|-
|2015
|''Celebrity Big Brother: Heroes and Villains''
|Guest
|
|-
|2015
|''Iain Lee: My Mixtape''
|Presenter
|
|-
|2015–2017
|''[[Sam Delaney's News Thing]]''
|Panellist
|20 episodes
|-
|2016
|''[[The Saturday Show (Channel 5 TV series)|The Saturday Show]]''
|Guest presenter
|2 episodes
|-
|2016
|''[[Pointless Celebrities]]''
|Contestant
|1 episode
|-
|2016
|''Blink''
|Contestant
|1 episode
|-
|2017
|''The Vintage TV Sessions''
|Presenter
|1 episode
|-
|2017
|''[[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (UK TV series)|I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!]]''
|Contestant
|20 episodes
|-
|2017
|''[[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!#I'm a Celebrity: Extra Camp|I'm a Celebrity: Extra Camp]]''
|Contestant
|18 episodes
|-
|2017–
|''[[Lorraine (TV programme)|Lorraine]]''
|Competition Presenter
|7 episodes
|-
|2017–2018
|''[[Loose Women]]''
|Competition Presenter
|37 episodes
|-
|2017–
|''[[Good Morning Britain (2014 TV programme)|Good Morning Britain]]''
|Guest Showbiz Reporter
|38 episodes
|-
|2018
|''[[Sunday Brunch]]''
|Guest
|1 episode
|-
|2018
|''Me and My Mental Health''
|Guest
|
|-
|2018
|''[[Saturday Morning with James Martin]]''
|Guest
|1 episode
|-
|2018
|''[[The Chase (UK game show)#Celebrity editions|Celebrity Chase]]''
|Contestant
|1 episode
|-
|2019
|''[[International versions of Hollywood Game Night|Celebrity Game Night]]''
|Panellist
|1 episode
|-
|2020
|''[[Mandy (TV series)|Mandy]]''
|Himself
|1 episode
|}

==Filmography==
* ''[[Beyond Borders (film)|Beyond Borders]]'' (directed by [[Martin Campbell]])
* ''Radio Mania'' (directed by [[Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard]])
* [[Mandy (TV series)|Mandy]] (episode “Broadsword to Donna Ball”).

==Audio and Radio Industry Awards==
{{Awards table}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Audio and Radio Industry Awards#ARIAs 2017|2017]]
| Iain Lee
| Best Speech Presenter – Non-Breakfast
| style="background:gold" | Gold<ref>{{cite web|title=Audio Radio Industry Awards 2017 – winners|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2017/10/audio-radio-industry-awards-2017-winners/|work=[[Radio Today (website)|RadioToday.co.uk]]|accessdate=20 October 2017}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | [[Audio and Radio Industry Awards#ARIAs 2020|2020]]
| "Overdosing man calls Iain Lee"
| [[RadioTimes]] Moment of the Year
| style="background:gold" | Gold<ref name="ARIAs-2020">{{cite web|title=Audio and Radio Industry Awards 2020 – Winners|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/03/audio-and-radio-industry-awards-2020-winners/|work=RadioToday.co.uk|date=4 March 2020 |accessdate=4 March 2020}}</ref>
|-
| Iain Lee
| Best Speech Presenter
| {{shortlisted}}<ref name="ARIAs-2020"/>
{{end}}

==See also==
* ''[[Sunday Night Show|The Sunday Night Show]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.twitch.tv/iainlee Iain Lee on Twitch]
* {{IMDb name|id=0497420}}
* [http://www.skyone.co.uk/Lost/Season3/ The Lost Initiative podcast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513211755/http://www.skyone.co.uk/Lost/Season3/ |date=13 May 2007 }}
* [https://www.acast.com/deepdishradio/iainleeof7arecords Iain Lee discusses 7a Records with Comedian Tim Powers]
* {{Twitch|iainlee|''The Late Night Alternative''}}
* [https://play.acast.com/s/therabbithole/ ''The Late Night Alternative''] on [[Acast]]

{{Big Brother UK}}
{{Absolute Radio}}
{{Talkradio}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Iain}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Alumni of Middlesex University]]
[[Category:Bisexual male entertainers]]
[[Category:British bisexual comedians]]
[[Category:English male comedians]]
[[Category:English radio presenters]]
[[Category:English television presenters]]
[[Category:English LGBTQ broadcasters]]
[[Category:English LGBTQ comedians]]
[[Category:English bisexual men]]
[[Category:English bisexual entertainers]]
[[Category:English Twitch (service) streamers]]
[[Category:LGBTQ DJs]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Muswell Hill]]
[[Category:People educated at Herschel Grammar School]]
[[Category:English people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:Entertainers from Slough]]
[[Category:Comedians from the London Borough of Haringey]]
[[Category:Comedians from Buckinghamshire]]
[[Category:Mass media people from Buckinghamshire]]