SCRAPBOOK

Chris has already had a wide and varied career - from presenting flowers to deserving people, appearing on Pobol Y Cwm (and later starring in a Jerry Springer spoof trailer for the show), to supporting Shirley Bassey's only UK concert in Cardiff Castle in 1995.
He recently made an appearance in "High Hopes" as Chris Desire the Tokyo Rose for the over 70's.

Here are a few press clippings and photographs from Chris' own scrapbook.

Chris's badly bruised Foot 2010

Chris with the BBC Wales Christmas Tardis

Vittorio Grigolo with Chris

Chris and Andy Abraham X Factor

Porthcawl Comere Teddi Munroe with the Chris Needs dancers trained and choreographed by June Bois

What a hat!! Chris at the Porthcawl Pavillion 2005

Needs to play Dylan with Meryl Streep

Needs to play Dylan with Meryl Streep
"The Western Mail", Oct 4 2001
by Ian Hunt

RADIO presenter Chris Needs is the surprise choice to play Dylan Thomas in a new production about the poet's hellraising life.
Needs, who hosts the late-night show on BBC Radio Wales, will star opposite Hollywood actress Meryl Streep in Dylan in the Dock - a stage play, movie and TV mini-series focusing on Thomas's last 72 hours.
"I'm stocky, stumpy, 5ft and a bit and from South West Wales," said Needs. "I'm a perfect match.

But, seriously, this is a big thing for me. I have done a lot of stage work and quite a lot of television but never a starring role like this.

But, seriously, this is a big thing for me. I have done a lot of stage work and quite a lot of television but never a starring role like this.
"The producers have seen some show reels and tapes of past productions of mine. But I think the listeners to my radio programme sowed the seed and put my name forward.

"At the moment I'm just thinking `wow!' and trying not to go overboard until all the negotiations are completed." Needs, who also runs a family grocery shop in Port Talbot, said he was excited about starring alongside Oscar winner Streep, who will play Thomas's mistress Liz Reitell.

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He said, "I was wondering how she might cope with a mad Welshman like me. I've been a fan of hers for years and even the chance to meet her would be incredible, let alone work opposite her.

"My mother died last year. She would have been very proud to see me play Dylan Thomas."

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Jeff Towns, who runs Dylan's Bookstore in Swansea, said, "The thing Chris Needs has got going for him is he is from West Wales. It will help him understand where Dylan Thomas was coming from in terms of geography and his attitude to things.

"I think that is more important than having a Thomas look-alike.

"If someone told me Nicholas Cage was going to play Thomas I would say that was weird. But if you have a good actor it doesn't make any difference - theatre is all about the suspension of disbelief."

Chris CD

Dear Chris

Dear Chris,

Shirley Bassey - Cardiff Castle.

I would personally like to thank you very much for your terrific performance at Cardiff Castle on Saturday Night.
I hope that, for your part, you enjoyed the occasion as much as the audience clearly did - what a memorable evening it was.
Kind regards,

David Heartfield
IMG Artists