Clara Amfo

Clara Amfo (born 22 May 1984) is a British radio and television presenter and voice-over artist. She currently presents the mid-morning show on BBC Radio 1, which she took over from Fearne Cotton on 25 May 2015.[3] In 2020, she competed in the eighteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Clara Amfo
Amfo at the 2019 Radio 1 Teen Awards
Born (1984-05-22) 22 May 1984
Kingston upon Thames, London, England[1]
Alma materSt Mary's University College[2]
Occupation
Years active2009–present
Known forPresenting on BBC Radio 1
Television
Websiteclaraamfo.com

Early life and education

Amfo was born in Kingston upon Thames in London.[4] Her father was a microbiologist who emigrated from Ghana in the 1970s.[5] Amfo attended Burntwood School in Wandsworth, South London, and The Holy Cross School[6] in New Malden before studying media arts with professional and creative writing at St Mary's University College, Twickenham.[7]

Career

Amfo started out as a marketing intern at Kiss FM.[8] Amfo hosted the British premiere of Red Riding Hood, Baby Driver, Tomb Raider, Kingsman and Marvel's Black Panther at Hammersmith Apollo and has reported from events in the UK, including Wireless, Global Gathering, SW4 and NASS festivals. In 2012 she was nominated for a Sony Radio Award in the Rising Star category.[9][10] In September 2013, Amfo joined BBC Radio 1Xtra as host of the weekend breakfast show. In 2013, she was hired as the host of MTV's weekly Official UK Top 40[11] and Top 20 Chart shows, as well as The Official Chart Update and Top 20.[12][13] On 26 September 2013, Amfo appeared on BBC Radio 1's Innuendo Bingo.[14]

In 2015, Amfo became the host of The Official Chart on BBC Radio 1. In February 2015 it was announced she would be taking over from Fearne Cotton as host of Radio 1's weekday mid-morning show – home of the Live Lounge – on 25 May 2015, and therefore be departing from 1Xtra's weekend breakfast show.[3] In July 2016, Amfo became the narrator of Coach Trip on E4. In February 2017, Amfo presented backstage at the BRIT Awards for ITV2. In December 2017, she presented The Year in Music 2017 with Claudia Winkleman on BBC Two. She also presented Top of the Pops for the first time, with Fearne Cotton on BBC One. In February 2018, Amfo returned to the BRIT Awards backstage on ITV2. In June 2020, Amfo was widely praised for making a speech on her mid-morning show on BBC Radio 1, about George Floyd's death, racism and its effect on her own mental health.[15] On 2 September 2020, it was announced that Amfo would be 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; her elimination was described by judge Motsi Mabuse as the "toughest decision" of the series.[16]

On 2 February 2021, the paint manufacturer Dulux announced Amfo as the ambassador for the Dulux Colour of the Year 2021, Brave Ground.[17]

References
  1. "Clara Amfo: 'I'm inspired by Oprah. She's my spirit guide'". theguardian.com. 4 August 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  2. "Who is replacing Ferne Cotton on Radio 1?". metro.co.uk. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  3. Butterfly, Amelia (27 February 2015). "BBC Newsbeat". Clara Amfo announced as new Radio 1 Live Lounge presenter. BBC. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  4. Bim Adewunmi, "Clara Amfo on taking over the Radio 1 chart show: ‘I'm smiling a lot’", The Guardian, 15 December 2014.
  5. Barnett, Laura (4 August 2013). "Clara Amfo: 'I'm inspired by Oprah. She's my spirit guide'". The Observer. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  6. "Schooldays". Instagram.com. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  7. 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.
  8. "1Xtra Weekend Breakfast Show now hosted by Clara Amfo", Spyghana.com. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  9. Davies, Rebecca (31 March 2012). "Sony Radio Academy Awards nominations revealed, Moyles snubbed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  11. Lolade Jinadu, "Clara Amfo lands 'iconic' radio role", The Voice, 15 December 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  12. Hart, Tina. "Tim Westwood departs Radio 1 and 1Xtra as new Saturday night schedules revealed". Music Week. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  13. Peter Yeung, "Who is Clara Amfo?", The Daily Telegraph, 21 May 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  14. "Innuendo Bingo with Clara Amfo". YouTube, 26 September 2013.
  15. Savage, Mark (2 June 2020). "Radio 1's Amfo makes emotional racism speech". BBC News. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  16. "Strictly fans divided as Clara Amfo eliminated in 'toughest decision yet'". Daily Mirror. 29 November 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  17. "BBC Radio 1's Clara Amfo made ambassador at Dulux". 2 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
Media offices
Preceded by
Jameela Jamil		 BBC Radio 1
chart show presenter
25 January 2015 – 5 July 2015		 Succeeded by
Greg James
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