Sonali Shah

Part of the presentation team for the London 2012 Olympics for BBC One and BBC Three, Sonali is also known for her roles in the BBC coverage of many marquee live events over recent years – including the Royal Wedding, the Diamond Jubilee procession, Wimbledon, the Boat Race, the London Marathon, the Epsom Derby, the 2011 Cricket World Cup and The Lord Mayor’s Show – all of which have helped make Sonali renowned for her warmth, charm and versatility. Additionally, she has presented for the BBC’s Watchdog and Channel 4’s Crufts. Until recently, she co-presented British Olympic Dreams – a monthly BBC One show following Britain’s finest athletes in their quest to reach London 2012.

Originally aiming for a career in medicine while in her teens, Sonali caught the presenting bug while volunteering at her local hospital radio station during her A-Level years. After university, she began her professional broadcasting career in radio and soon joined the BBC World Service. In 2003, Sonali was asked to move to Radio 5 Live and help launch Jeff Randall’s Weekend Business, which went on to win a Sony Radio Award. Sonali became regular presenter for the network, appearing on 5 Live breakfast, Simon Mayo and Drive. In 2006, she began presenting the BAFTA award-winning Newsround and went on to front the programme for five years. During her time on the show, Sonali filmed special reports in China, Haiti and Afghanistan. One of her films, ‘’Growing up in the Warzone’’, was named ‘Best children’s programme' at the 2011 AIB awards.

Away from the camera, Sonali is a keen traveller. Her favourite trips include gorilla trekking in Uganda, white water rafting down the Nile, surfing in Brazil and horseback safari in South Africa. She is also a trained dancer, having spent more than 10 years studying Indian classical and folk. In 2011, Sonali began to judge BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year. She is an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and British Asian Trust and is an experienced host of live audience events, which she has done for a variety of companies and charitable organizations.