Who is Paralympian and TV presenter Ade Adepitan?
ADE Adepitan has captivated audiences for years with his presence across television and sports.
Dive into his fascinating journey, from groundbreaking Paralympic achievements to his exciting return as a presenter for the 2024 Paralympics.
Ade Adepitan is returning to present the 2024 Paralympics alongside Clare Balding
He also presents Children In Need
Who is Ade Adepitan?
Adedoyin Olayiwola “Ade” Adepitan is a Nigerian-born British television presenter, actor, and wheelchair basketball player.
He was born on March 27, 1973 in Lagos, Nigeria and he has been a prominent advocate for disability rights and inclusivity for over 20 years.
Ade contracted polio as an infant, which led to him using a wheelchair.
At the age of three, he moved with his family to the UK, settling in East London.
He was educated at Southern Road Primary School and Lister Community School.
Ade achieved notable success in wheelchair basketball, playing for Milton Keynes Aces and representing Great Britain.
He began his television career in the early 2000s, initially appearing as an actor in shows like Casualty and Desperados.
Ade then transitioned to presenting, covering sports programs and later branching into travel documentaries.
He was one of the main presenters of the London 2012 Paralympics and Rio 2016 Paralympics on Channel 4.
Ade also went on to work as a presenter on the BBC for the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada, in 2017.
Returning as a presenter for Channel 4’s coverage of the 2024 Paralympics, Ade will join Clare Balding, Rose Ayling-Ellis, and Ellie Simmonds.
He is deeply committed to charity work, focusing on organizations that enhance access to sports for disabled individuals.
As a patron of Go Kids Go, and a supporter of the NSPCC and WheelPower Charity, he actively contributes to their missions.
His involvement extends to participating in high-profile fundraising and awareness campaigns, including trips to Ghana for Comic Relief and challenges for Disabled Motoring UK.
In 2005, Ade was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to disability sport.
He has received multiple honors, including an Honorary Doctorate from Loughborough University and the University of East London.
In 2020, he was included in the Powerlist of the 100 most influential Black British people.
Ade married Scottish singer Linda Harrison in August 2018 at St Paul’s Cathedral.
The couple has a son, born in January 2021.
In August 2024, Ade was announced as the new Chancellor of Birmingham City University, succeeding Sir Lenny Henry.
More on the Paralympics
When did Ade Adepitan compete in the Paralympics?
Ade played wheelchair basketball
Ade Adepitan has had an impressive career in wheelchair basketball.
He competed in the 2004 Summer Paralympics, where he was part of the Great Britain team that won a bronze medal.
Additionally, he secured a gold medal at the 2005 Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.
What other TV shows has he presented?
Over the years, Ade Adepitan has showcased his versatility across a wide array of television programs and series as an actor, presenter, and guest.
His TV career began in 2002 with a notable appearance as one of three wheelchair basketball players in the BBC One show Hip-Hop.
In 2005, he starred in Beyond Boundaries, a four-part documentary where he trekked through rainforests, deserts, rivers, and mountains in Nicaragua.
During this time, he also created a video diary documenting his experiences and challenges living in Zaragoza, Spain, while pursuing his sporting goals.
In 2010, Ade took on the role of judge for Dancing On Wheels, where he evaluated competitors aiming to enter the Wheelchair Dance Sport European Championships.
His presenting work included working with Channel 4 and the BBC on series like Africa with Ade Adepitan, Whites Only: Ade’s Extremist Adventure and Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline.
He also portrayed wheelchair basketball coach Baggy Awolowo in the CBBC series Desperados.
Ade has been a prominent figure in Paralympic coverage, serving as a main presenter for Channel 4 during the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the 2014 Winter Paralympics, Rio 2016, the 2020 Paralympic and the upcoming 2024 Paralympics.
