_{Image Credit: LBC.}

Nick Ferrari

Credentials

• Eltham College (circa 1979).¹“Eltham College” Guide to Independent Schools. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/6IpDM

Background

Nick Ferrari is a British radio presenter and journalist. He hosts the weekday breakfast show on LBC and The Pledge on Sky News, as well as writing a regular column in the Sunday Express.²“Presenter Nick Ferrari” LBC. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/OOVbg ³“Columnist Nick Ferrari” Express. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/MR4Xv ⁴Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9

Ferrari began his journalism career as a news reporter for the Sunday Mirror, before working for The Sun, News of the World, and Fox TV. In a 2006 interview with Oliver Duff, he described Rupert Murdoch as “a phenomenal guy to work for” when he was asked who in the media he admires the most.⁵Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9

Ferrari is known for his outspoken style on his 7-10am morning radio show. This has led to a number of controversies including in 2015 when Ferrari described the Paris attacks as a “Muslim problem” and told a caller to “go some place else” if he objected to UK government policy.⁶Jasper Jackson. “LBC’s Nick Ferrari cleared over calling Paris attacks a ‘Muslim problem’,” The Guardian, January 25, 2016. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/ulmTb

Although he has previously accepted that climate change is real, Ferrari is a fierce critic of climate activists, having called protest group Extinction Rebellion “zealots”, “hysterical” and “eco-wackos” and described Greta Thunberg as “just another angry, irrational teenager” in his Express columns.⁷Nick Ferrari. “Extinction Rebellion is risking public safety,” Express, October 13, 2019. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/uhPWZ ⁸Nick Ferrari. “It’s time for the Greta Thunberg fan club to cool down,” Express, January 26, 2020. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/w65UI

In February 2020, Ferrari launched a campaign called Enough is Enough to give police more powers to stop public disorder. He said: “it is time to give the police more power to control Extinction Rebellion”.⁹“Nick Ferrari’s Enough is Enough campaign,” LBC, February 3, 2020. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/hNjJU

Stance on Climate Change

Ferrari has frequently downplayed the threat of climate change and has been highly critical of climate activists.

April 17, 2019

Ferrari appeared on the ITV show This Morning to discuss protests by Extinction Rebellion saying they had a “valid argument” but criticised their tactics.¹⁰“Is it okay to break the law to save the planet?” YouTube video uploaded by user This Morning on April 17, 2019. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

He argued:

“The UK is responsible for less than 1% of global emissions. The UK has gone further than any other country in the Western world. A 30% drop since 1990. Why are you not protesting in Russia, in China, in Brazil?… You only protest where it’s easy?”

Whilst debating environmental lawyer and Extinction Rebellion activist Farhana Yamin, Ferrari repeatedly said that “the government here has listened”.¹¹“Is it okay to break the law to save the planet?” YouTube video uploaded by user This Morning on April 17, 2019. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

Key Quotes

February 5, 2020

On his morning LBC show in discussion with Paul Stephens, an Extinction Rebellion spokesperson and police liaison officer. On shutting down streets and bringing London to a still stand by protesting, Ferrari asked:

“What gives you the right?… Please don’t say the climate’s dying”.¹²“Nick Ferrari v Extinction Rebellion spokesperson got very tense,” YouTube video uploaded by user LBC on February 5, 2020. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

January 22, 2020

While interviewing Democratic Party pollster Bernard Whitman, Ferrari echoed Donald Trump’s recent speech at the World Economic Forum:

“We were told there would be overpopulation in the 60s, mass starvation in the 70s and there would be no oil after the 90s, why would we believe it this time? They were wrong.”¹³“It’s a national embarrassment President Trump is being schooled by 17-year-old,” YouTube video uploaded by user LBC on January 22, 2020. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

October 13, 2019

In a Daily Express article on Extinction Rebellion, Ferrari wrote:

“It was another week when the Tristrams and the Tabithas deserted the shires and spent some of their trust fund cash to join the great unwashed, unloved and underemployed to indulge in the ludicrously selfish hissy fit that was the latest Extinction rebellion protest. How dare these zealots risk our safety to indulge their hysterical, misplaced fears about what lies in store? The British government has already pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050, which makes this country a world leader”.¹⁴Nick Ferrari. “Extinction Rebellion is risking public safety,” Express, October 13, 2019. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/uhPWZ

May 24, 2019

During a discussion on the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions on Sky News’ The Pledge, Ferrari said:

“When you look at this, we could hardly be doing any more”.¹⁵“We need radical action against climate change,” YouTube video uploaded by user Sky News on May 24, 2019. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

Key Deeds

April 18, 2023

Nick Ferrari labelled a supporter of Just Stop Oil “intellectually nuts” after a call-in discussion in which she voiced support for the expansion of renewable energy.

He later asked the caller why she “allow[s] [her]self to be swayed by alarmist tosh” and said she was “easily led.”¹⁶Anna Fox. “Just Stop Oil supporter ‘swayed by alarmist tosh’ says Nick Ferrari,” LBC, April 18, 2023. Archived April 19, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aWHtr

March 8, 2020

Ferrari wrote an article for The Daily Express criticising the actions of Extinction Rebellion protesters in Cambridge. He stated: “What arrant, uncaring, smug nonsense from these self-styled eco-warriors. Of course, for the Tarquins and Olivias who come down from the shires to cause this mayhem, this is all just a jolly lark and their trust funds will ensure they don’t lose a day’s pay, and the banks to which they belong aren’t to be found on any high street.”¹⁷Nick Ferrari. “Eco-friendly? It just makes us eco-angry, says NICK FERRARI,” The Daily Express, March 8, 2020. Archived February 8, 2021. Archive.vn URL: https://archive.vn/utYXe

January 26, 2020

In the Daily Express, Ferrari described Greta Thunberg as “another angry, irrational teenager”. He also talked down the urgency of tackling climate change, writing: “declaring ‘the world is on fire’ and the countdown to eternal damnation has begun is laughable in its over-exaggeration”.¹⁸Nick Ferrari. “It’s time for the Greta Thunberg fan club to cool down,” Express, January 26, 2020. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/w65UI

September 27, 2019

Ferrari blamed Greta Thunberg for “frightening other children” on Sky News’ The Pledge, going on to say: “I did this on my radio show and it’s amazing how many parents are saying their children possibly don’t want children of their own because they think the planet is coming to an end. It’s not”.¹⁹“Greta Thunberg ‘is right to be furious’,” YouTube video uploaded by user Sky News on September 27, 2020. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

Affiliations

• LBC – Presenter.²⁰Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9
• Sunday Express – Columnist.²¹“Columnist Nick Ferrari” Express. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/MR4Xv
• Talk Radio – Former presenter.²²Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9
• L1ve TV – Former director of programmes.²³Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9
• Daily Mirror – Former assistant editor.²⁴Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9
• Sky News – Former editor.²⁵Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9
• News of the world – Former Sunday magazine editor.²⁶Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9
• The Sun – Former showbiz reporter.²⁷Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9

Social Media

• @NickFerrariLBC on Twitter.

Publications

• Nick Ferrari. “The World According to Nick Ferrari,” John Blake, 2006.

Other Resources

Resources

• 1
  “Eltham College” Guide to Independent Schools. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/6IpDM
• 2
  “Presenter Nick Ferrari” LBC. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/OOVbg
• 3
  “Columnist Nick Ferrari” Express. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/MR4Xv
• 4
  Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9
• 5
  Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9
• 6
  Jasper Jackson. “LBC’s Nick Ferrari cleared over calling Paris attacks a ‘Muslim problem’,” The Guardian, January 25, 2016. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/ulmTb
• 7
  Nick Ferrari. “Extinction Rebellion is risking public safety,” Express, October 13, 2019. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/uhPWZ
• 8
  Nick Ferrari. “It’s time for the Greta Thunberg fan club to cool down,” Express, January 26, 2020. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/w65UI
• 9
  “Nick Ferrari’s Enough is Enough campaign,” LBC, February 3, 2020. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/hNjJU
• 10
  “Is it okay to break the law to save the planet?” YouTube video uploaded by user This Morning on April 17, 2019. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.
• 11
  “Is it okay to break the law to save the planet?” YouTube video uploaded by user This Morning on April 17, 2019. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.
• 12
  “Nick Ferrari v Extinction Rebellion spokesperson got very tense,” YouTube video uploaded by user LBC on February 5, 2020. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.
• 13
  “It’s a national embarrassment President Trump is being schooled by 17-year-old,” YouTube video uploaded by user LBC on January 22, 2020. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.
• 14
  Nick Ferrari. “Extinction Rebellion is risking public safety,” Express, October 13, 2019. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/uhPWZ
• 15
  “We need radical action against climate change,” YouTube video uploaded by user Sky News on May 24, 2019. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.
• 16
  Anna Fox. “Just Stop Oil supporter ‘swayed by alarmist tosh’ says Nick Ferrari,” LBC, April 18, 2023. Archived April 19, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aWHtr
• 17
  Nick Ferrari. “Eco-friendly? It just makes us eco-angry, says NICK FERRARI,” The Daily Express, March 8, 2020. Archived February 8, 2021. Archive.vn URL: https://archive.vn/utYXe
• 18
  Nick Ferrari. “It’s time for the Greta Thunberg fan club to cool down,” Express, January 26, 2020. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/w65UI
• 19
  “Greta Thunberg ‘is right to be furious’,” YouTube video uploaded by user Sky News on September 27, 2020. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.
• 20
  Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9
• 21
  “Columnist Nick Ferrari” Express. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/MR4Xv
• 22
  Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9
• 23
  Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9
• 24
  Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9
• 25
  Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9
• 26
  Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9
• 27
  Oliver Duff. “Nick Ferrari: My Life in Media,” Independent, 30 January 2006. Archived February 6, 2020. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/Beyy9