Ayo Akinwolere is an award-winning broadcaster and world record swimmer, recognized for his impactful presence in sports broadcasting.

In 2023, Ayo became the host of The Athletic Football Podcast, a leading platform that delves into the most pressing stories and insights from the world of football. The Athletic, now part of The New York Times, provides Ayo with a global stage to share his expertise and further solidify his reputation as a prominent voice in sports broadcasting.

Ayo’s broadcasting career began as the first Black male presenter on Blue Peter, where his engaging storytelling earned him multiple Children’s BAFTA nominations. He later transitioned to current affairs, presenting Inside Out in the West Midlands from 2014 to 2017. In his first year on the show, he won a Royal Television Society (RTS) Award for his documentary on extremism and continued to receive acclaim with a BBC Ruby Award for Programme of the Year.

In sports, Ayo became a key presenter for Channel 4’s rugby coverage, anchoring Ireland’s rugby test matches live from the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, and co-hosting the live Saturday morning rugby magazine show The Big Tackle. His work with BBC Sport includes reporting for The Premier League Show and Football Focus. He also hosted Golazo for CBS USA, covering the Europa League for three years before concluding in 2023. That same year, Ayo earned his second RTS Award, this time for Best Sports Programme of the Year, as part of the team for BBC’s Commonwealth Games coverage.

In addition to his broadcasting work, Ayo is the producer and co-director of MilkFirst Productions, where he helps to create and shape impactful media content.

Ayo previously hosted the Why I Run podcast for Red Bull and the Wings for Life Foundation for three years, exploring the motivations and stories of runners from around the world. Currently, he hosts Premier League Today, a weekly football magazine show for Premier League Productions, and has been at the forefront of major rugby coverage, including Autumn Nations 2020 and Summer Internationals 2021 for Channel 4 and Amazon Prime. His versatility extends to major sports events, having been part of the BBC presenting team for the Winter Olympics 2022 and the Commonwealth Games 2022.

Beyond his broadcasting career, Ayo is an accomplished world record swimmer in 2011, he became the first and only person to swim across the Pilau trench - part of the deepest stretch of ocean in the world.

He also serves as a jury member for the BAFTA Film and Television Awards, offering a diverse perspective shaped by his extensive media experience. Ayo is committed to making a positive impact off-screen as well. Recently named UK Ambassador for the homeless charity Crisis, he has served as an ambassador for Street Child United, advocating for the rights of street children worldwide. Ayo has also worked with The Prince’s Trust in Birmingham, mentoring young people across various disciplines.