Clara Amfo
Clara Amfo | |
---|---|
Born | 28 May 1984 |
Career | |
Show | Mid-Mornings (10:00 – 12:45) |
Station | BBC Radio 1 |
Previous show(s) | The Official Chart, BBC Radio 1Xtra Weekend Breakfast |
Website | claraamfo |
Clara Amfo is a radio presenter in the United Kingdom. She currently presents the mid-morning show on BBC Radio 1, which she took over from Fearne Cotton on 25 May 2015.[1]
Early life and education
Amfo was born in Kingston upon Thames, Greater London,[2] Her father was a microbiologist who emigrated from Ghana in the 1970s.[3] Amfo studied media arts with professional and creative writing at St Mary's University College, Twickenham.[4]
Career
Amfo was hired by Nickelodeon as a presenter. During this time, she was a contestant in the BBC Talent competition. She subsequently took up a position at CBBC.[5] She interned in marketing at KISS FM,[6] and did some voice-overs. Starting out her radio career at KISS FM UK presenting the overnight show, she quickly ascended to the Saturday Breakfast and then drivetime show, reaching audiences of 1 million on a weekly basis. In 2011, Amfo travelled to Ghana to make a film in support of the charity Plan's "Because I Am A Girl" campaign.[7]
Amfo hosted the British premiere of Red Riding Hood and has reported from assorted 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.[8][9] She has done voice-overs for Motorola, Nike and Spotify. [citation needed]
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[10] and Top 20 Chart shows, as well as The Official Chart Update and Top 20.[11][12] On 26 September 2013, Amfo appeared on BBC Radio 1's Innuendo Bingo.[13]
In 2015, Amfo became the host of The Official Chart on BBC Radio 1. In February 2015 it was also announced that she would be taking over from Fearne Cotton as host of Radio 1's mid-morning show – home of the Live Lounge – on 25 May 2015, and therefore be departing from 1Xtra's weekend breakfast show.[14]
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.
References
- ^ Butterfly, Amelia (27 February 2015). "BBC Newsbeat". Clara Amfo announced as new Radio 1 Live Lounge presenter. BBC. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ Bim Adewunmi, "Clara Amfo on taking over the Radio 1 chart show: ‘I'm smiling a lot’", The Guardian, 15 December 2014.
- ^ Barnett, Laura (4 August 2013). "Clara Amfo: 'I'm inspired by Oprah. She's my spirit guide'". The Observer. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Parkinson, Justin (14 March 2003). "From the classroom to the studio". BBC. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ "1Xtra Weekend Breakfast Show now hosted by Clara Amfo", spyghana.com. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ "Kiss FM's Clara backs girls campaign". plan-uk.org. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ Davies, Rebecca (31 March 2012). "Sony Radio Academy Awards nominations revealed, Moyles snubbed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ Nazia Dewji, "Radio presenter nominated for Sony award", Watford Observer, 26 April 2012.
- ^ Lolade Jinadu, "Clara Amfo lands 'iconic' radio role", The Voice, 15 December 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ Hart, Tina. "Tim Westwood departs Radio 1 and 1Xtra as new Saturday night schedules revealed". Music Week. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ Peter Yeung, "Who is Clara Amfo?", The Daily Telegraph, 21 May 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ "Innuendo Bingo with Clara Amfo". YouTube, 26 September 2013.
- ^ Butterfly, Amelia (27 February 2015). "BBC Newsbeat". Clara Amfo announced as new Radio 1 Live Lounge presenter. BBC. Retrieved 26 March 2015.