after university, he became a newspaper journalist, working on various publications until he joined the cardiff-based "western mail." he then joined bbc radio wales in 1978, and then joined bbc wales television's team as an investigative reporter most often beside his brother on "week in week out," where his reports included an early investigation of the aids epidemic developing in the uk. from the early 1990s humphrys began reporting on sport, a passion of his. humphrys and his then colleague, former welsh rugby union legend j.j. williams, presented the first bbc pre-match club house show from cardiff rugby club before a welsh rugby international – humphrys added taffs well rfc for atmosphere, who got a bit too drunk through the programme. in 2004 he was given a lifetime achievement award by bbc wales at the welsh sports personality of the year awards.