Spencer Kelly

Spencer Kelly, born Spencer John Bignell, grew up in Bishopstoke, Hampshire, attending Wyvern Secondary School and Barton Peveril College. He pursued higher education at Churchill College, Cambridge, where he achieved a double first in Computer Science, laying the academic foundation for his future career in technology journalism. His initial foray into broadcasting began as a student at Radio Glen at Southampton University, and he later managed Cambridge University Radio. Post-graduation, Kelly’s career in radio expanded as a traffic presenter, known as “Commander Kelly in the Flying Eye,” and subsequently as a breakfast show host for six years at Ocean FM, a local radio station covering Portsmouth and Southampton.

Kelly joined the BBC in 2003 as one of five iPresenters, a team tasked with pioneering interactive broadcasting through the web, digital television, and digital radio. This role involved hosting interactive LiveChats, which provided audiences with opportunities to engage directly with celebrities during live streamed interviews. For two and a half years, he contributed reports to BBC World’s Click Online show and made appearances on Five’s The Gadget Show. In January 2006, he took on the role of presenter for the rebranded Click series, a position he held until the show’s conclusion in March 2025. Over two decades and 1,000 episodes, he covered a wide array of technological advancements, from AI and virtual reality to essential tech solutions in developing countries.

Throughout his career, Spencer Kelly has become recognized for his ability to decipher complex technological concepts and identify significant industry trends. He has traveled globally, investigating how technology impacts lives across diverse settings, from advanced robotic developments in Japan to the implementation of internet access in Aids clinics in Africa. His contributions to the field were recognized with an Honorary Doctorate of Technology from Coventry University. Kelly has also served as a keynote speaker and panel host, addressing topics such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and sustainability.