Clara Amfo

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Clara Amfo
voice-over artist
  • television presenter
    • Years active2009–present
    Known forPresenting on BBC Radio 1
    Television
    Websiteclaraamfo.com

    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]

    Early life and education

    Born

    NHS microbiologist, and her mother a hospital cleaner.[5] After leaving Holy Cross School,[6] she went on to study media arts with professional and creative writing at St Mary's University College.[7]

    Career

    Amfo started out as a marketing intern at

    Innuendo Bingo.[14]

    In 2015, Amfo became the host of

    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 murder, racism and its effect on her own mental health.[15]

    In September 2020, Amfo appeared as 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] Later that year, Amfo co-hosted Fashioned with fashion historian Amber Butchart; the series explored how the history of fashion relates to relates to social movements such as feminism and civil rights.[17]

    In February 2021, the paint manufacturer Dulux announced Amfo as the ambassador for the Dulux Colour of the Year 2021, Brave Ground.[18] Amfo began presenting the Future Sounds show on Radio 1 from 30 July 2021, taking over from Annie Mac, who left the station. Rickie, Melvin and Charlie took over Amfo's Live Lounge show.[19][20]

    In June 2021, Amfo appeared alongside her brother, Andy, on the third series of

    Celebrity Gogglebox.[21] In December 2021, Amfo appeared on the revived series of The Weakest Link
    and won the episode.

    In February 2022, she was a guest judge on the

    first series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World.[22]

    In December 2023, Amfo and

    twelfth series of The Voice UK as guest mentors for team Anne-Marie.[23]

    In March 2024, Amfo presented her final Future Sounds programme on BBC Radio 1. In May 2024, she began hosting Studio Sessions on ITV, in which an artist takes to the stage in front of a select audience in the Blueroom, located inside the O2 Arena, with Amfo interviewing the artists between songs. Amongst those interviewed were Becky Hill, Cat Burns, Jess Glynne, Sekou, Tom Walker, Yungblud[24]

    References

    1. ^ "Who is replacing Ferne Cotton on Radio 1?". metro.co.uk. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
    2. ^ a b Butterfly, Amelia (27 February 2015). "Clara Amfo announced as new Radio 1 Live Lounge presenter". BBC. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
    3. ^ Howell, Georgia L. (13 October 2022). "Four influential Black people from Kingston Upon Thames". River Online. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
    4. 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. ^ "Clara Amfo Shares Lessons from Her School Days". 14 April 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.
    10. ^ "Radio presenter nominated for Sony award (From Watford Observer)". Archived from the original on 1 September 2014.
    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. ^ Wynn, Aiden (4 December 2020). "Clara Amfo's new podcast charts the history of fashion". Stylist. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
    18. ^ "BBC Radio 1's Clara Amfo made ambassador at Dulux". 2 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
    19. ^ BBC Radio 1's Breakfast Show with Greg James - 20 April 2021
    20. ^ "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.
    21. ^ "Gogglebox Welcomes Host Of Brilliant New Stars For Celebrity Series Including Clara Amfo". HuffPost UK. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
    22. ^ 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.
    23. ^ "So much fun being a guest judge on team AM with Raye on The Voice UK". Instagram. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
    24. ^ "Radio 1's Clara Amfo confirms first project since radio exit". Digital Spy. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
    Media offices
    Preceded by BBC Radio 1
    Chart show presenter
    25 January 2015 – 5 July 2015     		Succeeded by
    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Clara_Amfo&oldid=1283540162"