NICK EDE

C U L T U R E VULTURE

When it comes to innovative ideas, Nick Ede is ahead of the pack. The Rye local explains where his drive comes from and why he still dreams of the stage

By MARK KEBBLE

Many people start a new year with a sudden burst of inspiration, a desire to try something new or to make a difference in someone else’s life. When it comes to Nick Ede, I feel like he has these feelings on a daily basis.

“I just love doing things that I hope will make a difference,” he says with a modest shrug.

“I've always had that in me and I like to inspire and encourage, and I believe if you have a platform then use it to help and educate.”

You know he means it when you look at his career highlights. He is a multi award-winning TV presenter and popular culture commentator and philanthropist.

He is also the founder of the awardwinning East Of Eden PR, Style For

Stroke Foundation, The Fashion Run and imPODster Syndrome Podcast, and in 2021

Nick co-founded We Are Fabulous TV, a production company with Jaine Brent. This has all come after over 15 years of TV experience and several exciting roles under his belt – but it all started with acting up.

“I love acting and have – and still – want to act,” he smiles. “I was in all the school plays when I was younger and my mother had been a performer and took me weekly to see shows and I loved reading plays. I tried to go straight into drama school once I left school, but I was too young so I waited a year and ended up going to a place called Bretton Hall, which was like a real life fame school. I studied a degree there for three years and loved it. I left and went to London thinking that I would become a star. I didn’t realise how hard that would actually be! I then got into ticketing and marketing the shows… I still have a desire to act, but learning the craft has allowed me to be able to tell stories and communicate both in TV and in PR too.”

You wouldn’t put it past Nick considering the many strings to his bow. “I've always thought that unlike the phrase ‘jack of all trades, master of none’, you actually can be a master of more than one thing and that’s how I've always been,” he says. “I love working on different projects: some of them work, some of them fail, but all of them fulfil me and the people around me when working on them.”

He was 30 when he left his job to work in TV, starting from the bottom rung, but was soon asked to co-host a daytime show called The Russell Grant Show on Sky One – and he hasn’t looked back since when it comes to the small screen. Despite this success, he decided to launch East of Eden PR, which in journalism circles has always been an agency with a knack for making a story work.

“We have had many highlights creating campaigns for charities and brands,” Nick looks back. “I love fashion so have always enjoyed working with Lipsy, Spanx and Little Mistress. My most recent favourite has been working with Recycle Your Electricals – we have created some very memorable

KATYA DE GRUNWALD

SOAP & SALVATION, HERE AND BELOW

moments encouraging people to look at their small waste electricals and reuse, recycle and donate too. We created a giant toaster in Westfield and dressed Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts in a dress created out of waste electrical wires to highlight the waste issues.”

Does he have a favourite initiative? “I am most proud of the Fashion Run,” he responds. “I came up with it while walking with my neighbour Susie when the Olympic Park had just been built. It kept on bubbling in my head and then during lockdown I decided to look at a virtual race where people could donate and do a 5k dressed up in their favourite clothes and raise money for a charity close to them. The reaction was great. In 2023 we are going to create a real life event and pilot it at Regent’s Park in London with a view to rolling it out worldwide. I love the idea of looking good, feeling good and doing good – and this idea does it all.”

Something that is really close to his heart is the Style For Stroke Foundation. “My mother passed away when I was 23 from a stroke. It devastated me and led me to want to

RYE

spend my spare time looking at ways to raise money and awareness of stroke,” he explains. “I have spent the past 25 years campaigning and creating noise about stroke. Style For Stroke uses fashion as a way of educating and fundraising. I also work with Alexandra Burke on an annual fundraiser called the Spring Ball. Our next one will be in March 2023 and I cannot wait. Stroke is the fourth biggest killer in the world and the biggest cause of disability, and people need to know more about it.”

With that and his We Are Fabulous TV, you can expect to be hearing plenty more from Nick Ede as 2023 progresses – but as always, he is thinking of others while he is busy creating new things. “I hope that it'll be a fruitful year,” he says of 2023, “and more than ever I hope that people will support charities and foundations. I know it's going to be harder economically, but the kind support from others and their generosity can really change and save lives.” If you are still looking for inspiration, then look no further.

nickedetv.com

KATYA DE GRUNWALD BRIGHTON BEACH

Nick’s Eden

Why Rye ticks all the boxes

How long have you lived in Rye and what do you love about it?

During the pandemic I was living in London with my husband and we were getting claustrophobic living in the city so decided to look around. We had looked at lots of places and had visited Rye once. We decided that this was the perfect place to buy. We have been here for a year and a half now and are loving every minute of it.

Where are your favourite places?

Soap and Salvation in Rye is a fabulous renovated space that sells wonderful interior objects. Barry and Jo who run it are so knowledgeable. If you are looking to stay in and around Rye then I highly recommend the house Tongs that is on the cliff. It's so beautiful and sleeps 12 people. I was brought up in Brighton during the summers as my family had a home there. I always love going back there and nothing beats Wolfies, which is on the Brighton / Hove border. I love a good fish supper with vinegar and salt post swim!