Split image of Ellie Simmonds, George Robinson, and Rose Ayling-Ellis© Getty

Meet the presenters of the Paralympic Games: Strictly stars and more

Ellie Simmonds, Rose Ayling-Ellis and more stars are covering all the sporting action

TV Writer
August 29, 2024

The Paralympic Games have commenced in Paris! Following the opening ceremony on August 28, this year's athletes are gearing up for 11 days of sporting action. With 549 gold medals up for grabs across 22 Paralympic sports, fans can tune into this year's events via Channel 4, which has confirmed an incredible lineup of presenters. 

Here, we introduce the stars leading the coverage at the 2024 Paralympic Games…

© Getty

Ellie Simmonds

Paralympian Ellie Simmonds is busier than ever! In July, the 29-year-old teamed up with Euro Sport to provide coverage of the Olympics, and one month later she's back in Paris with Channel 4. 

Equipped with first-hand knowledge of what it's like to compete in the games, Ellie was a member of the Team GB swimming team in the 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 Paralympics. 

© Mike Marsland

Rose Ayling-Ellis

EastEnders and Strictly star Rose Ayling-Ellis has already made history at the 2024 Paralympic Games. The first deaf person to host a live sports show, the 29-year-old will co-host Afternoon Live alongside broadcaster Clare Balding, live from inside the Athletes' Village, with live BSL (British Sign Language) interpretation.

Ahead of her presenting gig, Rose has hailed the Paralympics as "a great opportunity to showcase what disabled people are truly capable of."  

© Helen Murray

Clare Balding

Renowned as one of Britain's top broadcasters, Clare Balding was also a key presenter at this year's Olympic Games. Used to working on various sporting fixtures, the 53-year-old has led coverage at both the Olympics and Paralympics numerous times, so it's not her first rodeo. 

Away from her broadcasting career, Clare is also a best-selling and award-winning author of numerous books and children's novels. She has also campaigned for better coverage of women's sports.

© Karwai Tang/WireImage

Vick Hope

Strictly star Vick Hope will be co-hosting Channel 4's Breakfast show alongside Billy Monger. The radio presenter and journalist has worked at the games before, travelling to Tokyo for the 2020 Paralympics, which she called her "favourite job." 

© Getty

George Robinson

George Robinson is best known for starring as Isaac Goodwin in the Netflix series, Sex Education. The actor, who has also appeared in episodes of Dalgliesh, was 17 when he broke his neck and damaged his spinal cord, leaving him quadriplegic. George now uses a power-assisted manual wheelchair and has spoken openly about his experiences. 

© Getty

Billy Monger

Former racing driver Billy Monger competed in the F4 British Championship, but after a horrific crash in 2017 required him to have his legs amputated, the 25-year-old turned his attention to commentating. In a bid to raise money for Comic Relief, Billy announced in July that he is in training to complete the annual Ironman World Championship in Hawaii in October.

© Getty

More presenters signed on for the 2024 Paralympics

This year, Paralympic champion and wheelchair basketball player Ade Adepitan is also on the line-up, as is Invictus Games medallist JJ Chalmers, adventurer and former rugby union player Ed Jackson, comedian Josh Pugh, sports presenter Lee McKenzie.

Comedian Fats Timbo, ex-rugby player and Gladiators' 'Fury' Jodie Ounsley, Paralympic gold-medal swimmer Ellie Robinson, award-winning actor Lenny Rush, content creator Milly Pickles, wheelchair basketball player Gaz Choudhry, sports reporter Jordan Jarrett-Bryan are also reporting from the French capital. 

For expert punditry and analysis, Channel 4 has enlisted Paralympic medallists Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson, Danny Crates and Libby Clegg, as well as former ParalympicsGB wheelchair rugby captain Steve Brown, and wheelchair tennis players Louise Hunt and Jayant Mistry.

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