Henry Cole – Biography, Age, Wife, Children, and Net Worth

Henry Cole is a British television presenter, motorcycle enthusiast, and the founder of Gladstone Motorcycles. He is best known for hosting World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides, a travel series that took him across the globe on two wheels. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Cole has also directed films, set world records, and become a vocal advocate for British engineering and heritage. Here is a look at his life, career, family, and current activities.

Who Is Henry Cole? Biography and Career Overview

Henry Cole is an English TV presenter, producer, and director who rose to prominence through motorcycle-themed programming. He attended Eton College, where he was a contemporary of future Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and later worked as a session drummer, news cameraman for ITN and TF1, and a rock band road director before moving into filmmaking. In 1995 he directed Mad Dogs and Englishmen, a documentary about his own heroin addiction. Cole has been clean since 1988. He is widely recognised as one of the most familiar faces in motorcycling television.

• Full Name: Henry Cole
• Born: February 1964 (age 62 in 2026)
• Known For: Hosting World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides
• Net Worth: Not publicly disclosed

Key Insights at a Glance

• Cole is a British TV presenter and producer best known for motorcycle-centric travel programmes.
• He is a prominent figure in the British Heritage Movement, championing traditional crafts and engineering.
• His personal life – wife, first marriage, children – is a frequent subject of public curiosity despite limited official detail.
• He remains active in television and public appearances as of 2025.
• Cole’s company, Gladstone Motorcycles, builds bespoke motorcycles.
• He set a world land speed record for a pre-1955 750cc motorcycle in 2013.
• He co-holds a 2023 Guinness World Record for the fastest tandem motorcycle ride.

Snapshot Facts: Henry Cole

Henry Cole Age: How Old Is the TV Presenter?

Henry Cole was born in February 1964. Some records list the specific date as 16 February 1965, but the widely accepted year is 1964. As of 2026, he is 62 years old. He was born in Norfolk, England, and raised in Berkshire. He attended Eton College. His age places him among the most experienced presenters in the motorcycle television genre.

Birth date discrepancy: Multiple sources agree on February 1964, but one source (Famous Birthdays) states 16 February 1965. The Wikipedia entry for Henry Cole (presenter) uses February 1964 without a specific day. The exact date is not publicly settled.

Henry Cole Wife and Children: Who Is He Married To?

Henry Cole is married to Janie Cole, according to his Wikipedia biography. The couple have two sons, Charlie Cole and Tom Cole. Details about a first wife have not been confirmed in available sources. Cole keeps his family life relatively private, which has led to ongoing public curiosity. No information about previous marriages or divorces has been officially disclosed.

Family Overview

• Current wife: Janie Cole
• Sons: Charlie Cole and Tom Cole
• Public disclosure: Limited; no details on occupation or ages of family members

What Is Henry Cole’s Net Worth in 2025?

There is no publicly verified net worth figure for Henry Cole. As the CEO of Gladstone Motorcycles and a long-running television presenter, he is likely to have a substantial income, but exact earnings are not disclosed. No major financial data or salary reports have been published in reliable sources. The question of his wealth remains unanswered in official records.

No confirmed figures: Claims about Henry Cole’s net worth found on unofficial websites or forums are not backed by verified sources. Neither his Wikipedia page, his official website, nor interviews contain any specific net worth statement.

What Happened to Henry Cole? Latest News and Status

As of 2025, Henry Cole is still active. He continues to present television shows, run Gladstone Motorcycles, and post content on his official YouTube channel. There has been no announcement of retirement. Recent public appearances include interviews and events such as the Harrogate International Festivals. The question “what happened to Henry Cole” likely stems from gaps in public information rather than any specific incident. No reports of illness, scandal, or career-ending events have been verified.

Current Known Activities

• Still presenting television programmes (e.g., Find It, Fix It, Flog It)
• Active on YouTube with regular video uploads
• Running Gladstone Motorcycles
• Making public appearances and book signings for his memoir A Biker’s Life

Henry Cole’s TV Shows and Book: World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides and ‘A Biker’s Life’

Henry Cole is best known for hosting World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides, which aired on the Travel Channel from 2012 to 2015. He has also presented The Motorbike Show, Shed and Buried, Junk & Disorderly, and Find It, Fix It, Flog It. His work frequently combines travel, engineering, and British heritage. In 2020 he published a memoir titled A Biker’s Life, which recounts his journey from addiction to world-record-holding biker and television personality. The book is available through standard retailers.

Where to watch: Many of Henry Cole’s television series can be found on streaming platforms and the official Henry Cole YouTube channel. Episodes of World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides are also available on DVD and digital purchase.

Henry Cole’s Career Timeline: Key Milestones

Below is a chronological summary of the major events in Henry Cole’s life and career, based on verified sources.

1. 1964: Born in Norfolk, England; raised in Berkshire.
2. 1980s: Works as a session drummer, then news cameraman for ITN and TF1, later as a rock band road director.
3. 1988: Becomes clean after a five-year heroin addiction (ages 19–24).
4. 1995: Directs Mad Dogs and Englishmen, a documentary about his addiction.
5. 2001: Begins presenting World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides.
6. 2010s: Emerges as a leading voice in the British Heritage Movement; founds Gladstone Motorcycles.
7. 2013: Sets world land speed record for a pre-1955 750cc motorcycle (99.78 mph).
8. 2020: Publishes memoir A Biker’s Life.
9. 2023: Guinness World Record for fastest tandem motorcycle ride (with Alan Milard).
10. 2025: Continues presenting, making public appearances, and managing Gladstone Motorcycles.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Henry Cole?

Several facts about Henry Cole are well documented, but some areas of interest remain unconfirmed or private.

Henry Cole in Context: The Man Behind the Motorcycles

Henry Cole’s career is unusual in its blend of motorcycle culture with mainstream television. Unlike many presenters who focus purely on travel or adventure, Cole often centres his programmes on the engineering, craftsmanship, and heritage of British motorcycles. His company Gladstone Motorcycles builds bespoke machines that reflect this philosophy. The public’s intense curiosity about his net worth and family life stems from his relatively private personal stance, despite his high media profile. He is a descendant of Sir Henry Cole (the Victorian inventor) and a great-great-great-great-nephew of Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone.

Sources and Quotes

The information in this article has been drawn from the following authoritative sources:

• Wikipedia – Henry Cole (presenter): Verified biographical data, career history, and family.
• Official Henry Cole website: First-party information on shows, news, and shop.
• Harrogate International Festivals interview: Personal reflections and career insights.
• Henry Cole YouTube channel: Evidence of current work and public appearances.
• Famous Birthdays – Henry Cole: Supplementary age and birthplace data.
• Henry Cole on IMDb: Filmography and production credits.

“I was a heroin addict for five years. I got clean in 1988. That experience changed everything.”

— Henry Cole, from the Harrogate International Festivals interview

What’s Next for Henry Cole?

Given his ongoing output, Henry Cole is likely to continue producing new television series and specials, making public appearances, and releasing content on his YouTube channel. Fans of his memoir A Biker’s Life can also expect further book signings. No official announcements about retirement or major career changes have been made. For the most up-to-date information, his official website remains the best source.

Frequently Asked Questions About Henry Cole