Clara Amfo


Clara Amfo is a British radio DJ and television presenter. She currently presents the mid-morning show on BBC Radio 1, which she took over from Fearne Cotton on 25 May 2015.

Early life and education

Amfo was born in Kingston upon Thames, Greater London. Her father was a microbiologist who emigrated from Ghana in the 1970s.
Amfo attended Burntwood School in Wandsworth, South London, and The Holy Cross School, in New Malden before studying media arts with professional and creative writing at St Mary's University College, Twickenham.

Career

Starting out as a marketing intern at KISS FM, 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.
Amfo hosted the British premiere of Red Riding Hood, Baby Driver, Tomb Raider, and Marvel's Black Panther at Hammersmith Apollo 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.
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 and Top 20 Chart shows, as well as The Official Chart Update and Top 20. On 26 September 2013, Amfo appeared on BBC Radio 1's Innuendo Bingo.
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 weekday mid-morning show – home of the Live Lounge – on 25 May 2015, and therefore be departing from 1Xtra's weekend breakfast show.
In July 2016, Amfo became the narrator of Coach Trip on E4.
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.
In June 2020, Amfo was widely praised for making a candid, emotional speech, part way through her her mid-morning show on BBC Radio 1, about George Floyd's death, racism and its effect on her own mental health.