Background
Inspired to travel to remote places from an early age after a chance meeting with the veteran Arabian explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger, Gardner developed a fascination for the Arab world and was determined to read Arabic at university.
After living with an Egyptian family in the backstreets of Cairo, a memorable experience he describes fondly in Blood and Sand, he graduated from Exeter University with a degree in Arabic & Islamic Studies. There then followed a nine year career in banking as an investment banker with Saudi International Bank and then Robert Fleming Bank from 1986 until 1995. Bored of banking, he then took the plunge into journalism, working initially for BBC World TV. Spotting a gap in coverage he moved himself and his heavily pregnant wife to Dubai in 1997 to set up as a freelance Gulf stringer covering all 6 GCC countries and Yemen.
In 1999 Gardner was appointed BBC Middle East correspondent in charge of the bureau in Cairo, but travelled throughout the region. After the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York, Gardner focused on stories related to the so-called ‘War on Terror’, a phrase he always disliked, working to steer his audiences away from many of the prejudices and stereotypings that sprang up in the wake of those attacks.
“He was always cut out for journalism. When Kuwait was liberated, he was there with his camera, doing a piece like a reporter. He’s a good communicator, incredibly good at thinking on his feet, knows how to handle situations spontaneously and comes across really well. I met him studying Arabic and Islamic Studies at Exeter University and described him as incredibly widely-travelled, especially in the Middle East. In one year he travelled to 28 countries. He’s the sort of guy who will get through a passport because he runs out of room,” said friend of 30 years Anthony Campanale.
On 6 June 2004, while reporting from a suburb of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Gardner was shot six times and seriously injured in an attack by al-Qaeda sympathisers. His colleague Irish cameraman Simon Cumbers was shot dead. He was left partly paralysed in the legs and dependent on a wheelchair for life.
After 14 operations, 7 months in hospital and months of rehabilitation he returned to reporting for the BBC in mid-2005, using a wheelchair or a frame.
Crumbs, I of course always admired watching you on the BBC but never realised how much too!! I have a condition called Transverse Myelitis which is waring, if I had a fraction of your energy! Don’t mind though as my sister has her second brain tumour, to which I am so frightened about.
No reply needed thank you. Best wishes to you. XX
Frank, I’m watching your documentary on Tintin. I often catch your security pieces on the BBC. I love your reporting style – crisp, concise and you know your subject. Watching you transform your wheelchair into a tricycle it struck me how courageous and resilient you are. I’m glad you came back to the BBC and have continued with your work after Riyadh. I loved Tintin as a child and glad it’s having a renaissance – in time for my toddler son to enjoy it too. Best wishes, Olivia
Tks, I did and argued we should have kept that in!
To answer that Id need to know whats your disability and how much it affects your fitness and mobility?
Thanks! There will be more docos but probably not Tintin
I was completely unaware you had a disability and the traumatic circumstances that caused it.I applaud your courage and perseverance in the face of adversity. I also think you have one of ye most beautiful voices I have ever heard. That, plus your professionalism and inimitable style make it a pleasure to watch you.
I met you the other night and just wanted to say you seem like a bloody good chap.
an inspiration to millions, dignified. Someone that’s been truly tested and yet is still contributing, thriving even.
(btw you did nick one of our bar stools but we forgive you. and such a shame we lost the football to the Italians).
Truly inspirational Frank!
Like you I try to steer people and visitors away from some negative preconceived ideas about the wonderful people and culture of the Middle East when they visit Clouds Hill, TE Lawrence’s cottage. I had a Bedouin tent brought back from Jordan and erected in the grounds next to the cottage where I try to offer an alternative view of the customs and people from that part of the World by serving real Arabic coffee and tea with dates etc. Would love you to pop by sometime and show you around Clouds Hill as far as you were able. Perhaps give us some ideas on how we can make Clouds Hill more acceptable and accessible for all. In the meantime good luck with your new book and hopefully we shall see you at Clouds Hill? Inshallah! Also You may be interested to know that Lawrence has a Tartan called ‘Lawrence’s Seven Pillars of Khaki’ which I would be honoured if you would accept a tie perhaps that I could send you or maybe pick up when you visit? Or just look at on the link below?
Kind regards and best wishes
Theresa.
Hi Frank, my wife suffers from pressure sores as you do and wants to know how you get relief from yours.
Just watched your latest piece on the Colombian cocaine trade on the BBC News channel. I’ve always enjoyed your reporting style, and am inspired by your determination not to be defined by your disability. How you manage to do your job in the depths of the cartel-controlled amazonian jungle I will never know. It was fascinating to see how much has(n’t) changed in the eight years since your last visit. I didn’t know you were also an author, and I’m excited to search out a copy of your books. Regards and best wishes.
No mention of your service in the TA?
(or have I missed it?)
Frank, you might not remember but we were next door neighbours in Umm Suqiem Dubai.
Although we moved away I have followed your Saudi incident and subsequent career with the BBC. I find your articles some of the most informative and knowledgible of any.
I am still living in Dubai and working in Qatar and Saudi ( not the easiest commute these days ).
I am spending considerable time in Lindon as my boys have grown up and schooling in London.
I trust you are well and just wanted to contact you after reading your latest articles.
Best regards Robert Clink
What an inspiring man to have as the new president of BTO.
Truly amazing and inspiring – Keep up the ‘Birding’…..All the Best
Greetings from North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
I saw a brief BBC clip of you water skiing and chuckled when you commented on putting on your wet suit. I had a similar experience a few years ago trying to get into a dry suit. I’m a kayaker and a friend was teaching me how to perform the “Eskimo roll”. As the Pacific waters in this neck o’ the woods are cold a dry suit was called for.
I fought with this bloody suit for quite a while, my friend just sat there with a wry grin on his face. After a few minutes of fighting a losing battle my friend suggested I try putting my leg in the leg part of the suit, not the arm!! It wasn’t funny at the time but I was so frustrated I cracked up and we both sat on the beach in tears.
Your video clip reminded me of the incident and the times kayaking with a good friend however to this day I still can’t perform the roll. As my friend said “if you try and analyse the roll you’ll never get it right” … being and engineer I always analyse things hence I’ll never get it right.
Cheers and thanks for the chuckle
Mr Gardener
Couldn’t find any better way to contact you and not being a user of twit face and the like I hope you don’t mind me using this route. The feel free to delete as necessary!
Just felt the urge to praise you for your the fabulous short piece on getting back to water-skiing. Many people will have told you already, but one more voice telling you what an inspiration you are cannot do any harm. Thank you. You give every viewer, listener and reader more than enough reason to go out and be better tomorrow.
Never stop!
Kai ora Frank, We have had contact some years ago regarding any planned visits to New Zealand. I will be in London October 21 to 25. Are you speaking anywhere during those dates ?
If not, would love to meet for a coffee. My passion is crafting political policy and debate. Your insights would be priceless ! We have mutual friends in Auckland. Cheers
I have watched you on the BBC off and on for years, and only recently began reading your novels. I must tell you that very early on, whilst reading, I felt as if I had been hoovered up by your writing style, drawing me deeper and deeper into the story. This, of course, caused me to purchase your second book (before even finishing the first) and the day after slowly closing one book, felt compelled to open the next. As I was contemplating what I would say in this message, I realised that it would be daft to try to compare your work to any other author, as the literary and visual story you have put onto paper is wonderfully graphic, enabling me to ‘be there” as the story unfolds. Your ability to let a reader connect with your characters is pretty powerful.
About the best thing I could say to you is “thank you.”
Loved the who do you think you are.covering your history. I am also related to Edward 1. I spent over 30 years on and off researching. Like discuss our shared background. Off line
Frank, I last read a book 3 years ago because, with the distraction of television, it wasn’t easy to concentrate. I picked up your book “Ultimatum” and finished it in two nights. Short, punchy chapters, attention to detail and non-stop facts meant I couldn’t put it down, even when I wanted to. I always thought Iran was a place in the desert, of little significance. How wrong I was. Can’t wait to read “Crisis”. Thanks
Great news today. There is another case pending about Dubai Royal Associate pending disposal on April 21, 2020.
Still struggling to find a human rights lawyer. This is related to recognition and enforcement of Judge Gary’s decision Ontario Court.
hi Frank…hope you are well.
We love your reporting and are sure you are busy at the moment, but I would like to ask if you could cover the response to Corona in Bahrain, where we live as ex pats? You know the Island well of course.
Since February we have been immensely impressed by the response here to Corona. In particular the testing immediately put in at the airport and the quarantine rules since March. We appreciate Bahrain is a small country and “rich” but might the UK learn from the approach and policies put in? It might make an interesting news item for the BBC…broadened to other Gulf states?
Thanks So much and stay safe,
Nicola Woolf
Beautiful piece on birdsongs this morning.
Not unlike you in one respect I lost everything’ in 1985 at the peak of a military career. I cannot say my personal injuries compared to yours but it is not too much too say we fall silent when we hear you on the radio.
A famous teeth arm regiment was my family in more ways than one but your grit & determination are exemplary if I may say so.
My wife & I thought why on earth doesn’t Frank inherit the Attenborough mantle?
A clearer distilled broadcaster one could not wish for; trite though it may be, we salute you.
ATB in any event,
Richard D’A-E
Frank, this really is a long shot and you may not remember, but I was a good friend of the Thompsons (particularly Richard, who was in my year and house at MC, but also Stephen and Douglas). I read Arabic at university and have been in the GCC (mostly Riyadh) for the last 20 years, as a lawyer doing Saudi government restructuring and regulatory work. I would welcome the chance to reconnect.
Hi Mr Gardner – I’m contacting you because I am doing the family tree of a friend and it turns out he is related to you from a common ancestor in the 14th century.
You are indeed related to the people who came over with William 1st as well as William 1st. himself. If you are interested I can advise you of the information I have found
relating to the Norman ancestors who came to fight for William 1st – they were granted land near Wantage. I live in Basingstoke (north Hampshire) but born in Oxford.
I love history and being nosey doing family trees fulfils these 2 hobbies.
My friends ancestor and your ancestor married sisters and lived at Foremark Hall.
Let me know and we’ll go from there.
Regards
Pam
I watched your programme “Being Frank” last night & was enthralled.
As a retired Stoma Care Nurse, I was delighted the way you spoke so normally about your stoma, especially in the opening part when is was “blowing & bubbling”. The way you changed your flange & pouch without any fuss or extra accessories……brilliant!!
This practical, normal way of dealing with your stoma is what we all strived for with our patients…..thank you for showing it so graphically.
I wish you well in all you do.
Dare I say it but your life, personality and zeitgeist have all made you for who you are ..
beyond belief since that terrible day…I do admire you as hero …just amazing ..we have so much in common …it would be lovely to talk GERVASE
Incredible strength, and wonderful that you continue to do good around the world, and continue to “just get on with it”. Life is a wonderful journey of great moments, both good and bad. And, it is truly our response to it all that makes the difference.
Cheers and continued happiness, success, and good health.
Kindly, Amy Schultz
Dear Frank
Thank you for the great programme.
This is a question about your lovely wheelchair please? I have a rare neurological disease called Spino Cerebellar Ataxia Type 1 (SCA1) (similar to MS, Huntington’s & MND). I am very strong and I have a Karma Ergo 125 which we use to get me about outside (using a Free Wheeler which I saw you use as well). It has solid tyres.
Until recently I could get around the house on a walking frame but my balance and co-ordination mean I can’t do that any more and my husband holds me and walks me (him going backwards and steadying me).
I’d like to find a wheelchair which is easy for me to propel myself around the house. I think my Ergo is a bit big for that but your chair looked very nimble and easy to manoeuvre. Please could you give me details of what make and model it is.
Many thanks
Love
Lit
I was privileged to watch your recent documentary, “Being Frank”. Your doctor commented that problems might well arise as you grew older. No doubt he is correct, but I have a suggestion, which may help you combat this. I’m an octogenarian who has had various muscular pins down the years. Whilst they in no way compare to the problems you have faced, I have found immense help from a system of movement called Feldenkrais, which teaches one to move more efficiently. If you care to visit moving experience.eu you can find out for yourself what it’s all about. Bärbel Rücker, the teacher is excellent. I recommend one to one Zoom sessions with her. Please do explore. I’m sure you will feel a great benefit.
Kindest Regards