Clara Amfo

Clara Amfo is a British radio broadcaster, television presenter, podcast host and voice-over artist. She is known for presenting her shows on BBC Radio 1.[2]

Clara Amfo
Amfo in 2019
Born
Kingston upon Thames, London, England
Alma materSt Mary's University College[1]
Occupations
Years active2009–present
Known forPresenting on BBC Radio 1
Television
Websiteclaraamfo.com

Early life and education

Amfo was born in Kingston upon Thames, London[3] to Ghanaian parents. She has five siblings.[4] Her father, who died in 2015, was an NHS microbiologist, and her mother a hospital cleaner.[5] After leaving high school, she went on to study media arts with professional and creative writing at St Mary's University College.[6]

Career

Amfo started out as a marketing intern at Kiss FM.[7] During her time there she became a presenter, starting out on early breakfast, weekend breakfast and left doing the drive time show. In September 2013, Amfo joined BBC Radio 1Xtra as host of the weekend breakfast show.

In 2015, Amfo became the host of The Official Chart on BBC Radio 1. In February 2015 it was announced she would be leaving 1Xtra to take over from Fearne Cotton as host of Radio 1's weekday mid-morning show – home of the Live Lounge – on 25 May 2015.[2] During her time in the slot she interviewed Jay-Z, Dua Lipa, Kendrick Lamar and Ariana Grande.

Amfo has hosted premieres for No Time to Die, Black Panther, The Lion King and House of Gucci.[8][9] Since February 2017, Amfo presented backstage at the BRIT Awards for ITV2.

In January 2020, Amfo launched her podcast 'This City' with famous Londoners exploring about their relationship with the capital. Guests included Louis Theroux, Akala, Jade Thirlwall, Mark Ronson and Ncuti Gatwa.

In June 2020, Amfo was widely praised for making a speech on her mid-morning show on BBC Radio 1 about George Floyd's murder, racism and its effect on her own mental health.[10] On 20 April 2021, it was announced on Greg James' Radio 1 Breakfast show that Amfo would be taking over Annie Mac's Future Sounds show on Radio 1 from 30 July 2021, following Mac's announcement she would be leaving the station. It was also announced that Rickie, Melvin and Charlie would take over Amfo's current Live Lounge show.

In March 2021, Amfo was honoured with a Barbie 'Shero' doll.

In July 2021, Amfo recorded an hour long interview special in L.A. with Billie Eilish for BBC One.[11]

Amfo was a contestant on the eighteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing. She was partnered with Aljaž Škorjanec. She was eliminated in week 6 of the competition.

In June 2021, Amfo appeared alongside her brother, Andy, on the third series of Celebrity Gogglebox.[12]

In December 2021, Amfo appeared on the revived series of The Weakest Link and won the competition in episode 1.

On 22 February 2022, she was a guest judge on the Snatch Game episode of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs the World.[13]

References
  1. "Who is replacing Ferne Cotton on Radio 1?". metro.co.uk. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  2. Butterfly, Amelia (27 February 2015). "Clara Amfo announced as new Radio 1 Live Lounge presenter". BBC. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  3. Adewunmi, Bim (15 December 2014). "Clara Amfo on taking over the Radio 1 chart show: 'I'm smiling a lot'". The Guardian.
  4. Brzezinski, Victoria. "Clara Amfo: 'I've learnt how to create optical illusions and to avenge my teenage self'". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  5. Woode, David (4 March 2022). "Clara Amfo: 'I'm a dark-skinned black girl, so to be seen by my diasporan peers is special'". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  6. Ian Burrell, "Clara Amfo: Radio 1’s new chart host must placate pop's fan armies – the Swifties and Azaleans", The Independent, 15 December 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  7. "1Xtra Weekend Breakfast Show now hosted by Clara Amfo", Spyghana.com. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  8. BBC Radio 1's Breakfast Show with Greg James - 20 April 2021
  9. "Clara Amfo to become new host of BBC Radio 1's Future Sounds" (Press release). Online: BBC. BBC Media Centre. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  10. Savage, Mark (2 June 2020). "Radio 1's Amfo makes emotional racism speech". BBC News. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  11. "BBC One - Billie Eilish: Up Close". BBC.
  12. "Gogglebox Welcomes Host Of Brilliant New Stars For Celebrity Series Including Clara Amfo". HuffPost UK. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  13. Brocklehurst, Harrison (12 January 2022). "Here's everything we know so far about RuPaul's Drag Race: UK Versus The World". The Tab. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
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