Adele Roberts

Radio 1 Broadcaster, LGBT Advocate, Cancer Survivor, Winner of ‘Celebrity Coach Trip’ & Bestselling Author of ‘Personal Best’

Adele Roberts’s Biography:

Adele Roberts is a British broadcaster, DJ and reality television personality known for her work on BBC Radio 1 and her inspiring personal journey. Rising to prominence through television, she has built a successful career across radio, entertainment and sport. Alongside her media work, Adele is widely recognised for her resilience and advocacy, using her platform to raise awareness around cancer, mental health and LGBTQ+ visibility.

Adele began her career in radio in the early 2000s, securing her first role at Rock FM in Lancashire, before presenting for The Hits Radio in Manchester and later Galaxy Radio in Leeds. Her ambition to work within the BBC led her to join BBC Radio 1Xtra in 2012, before moving to BBC Radio 1 where she became host of the Early Breakfast Show in 2015. Her broadcasting career reached a major milestone in 2020 when she became the first Black woman to host the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show, before going on to present the Weekend Breakfast Show.

Alongside her radio work, Adele has built a strong television presence. She first gained national recognition through ‘Big Brother’ before going on to appear on ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’, ‘Celebrity Coach Trip’ and ‘Dancing on Ice’. She has also worked with BBC Sport, presenting coverage of the London Marathon and taking part in high-profile charity events, further establishing her as a versatile and engaging media personality.

In recent years, Adele has become widely recognised for her resilience and advocacy following her bowel cancer diagnosis in 2021. After undergoing treatment, she announced she was cancer-free in 2022 and has since used her platform to raise awareness and encourage early testing. In 2023, she set a Guinness World Record as the fastest woman to run a marathon with a stoma bag, demonstrating extraordinary determination. She is also the author of ‘Personal Best: From Rock Bottom to the Top of the World’, which documents her journey through adversity, recovery and achievement.

Why Hire Adele Roberts?

Adele is hired as a speaker for her powerful and deeply personal story of resilience, recovery and self-belief. Drawing on her experiences in broadcasting, elite endurance challenges and her journey through cancer, she delivers inspiring talks that resonate with audiences facing both personal and professional challenges.

She speaks openly about her cancer diagnosis, recovery and life with a stoma, as well as her advocacy for LGBTQ+ visibility and mental health. Through honest storytelling and real-life insight, Adele delivers impactful talks that inspire audiences to overcome adversity, embrace change and achieve their personal best.

Adele Roberts’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Adele Roberts’s remarkable career:

  • 2025 – Completed all seven Abbott World Marathon Majors, setting a Guinness World Record for the fastest cumulative time by a woman with a stoma.
  • 2024 – Competed on Dancing on Ice finishing as a finalist and reaching a mainstream television audience.
  • 2023 – Set a Guinness World Record as the fastest woman to complete a marathon with a stoma bag.
  • 2023 – Published Personal Best: From Rock Bottom to the Top of the World sharing her journey of resilience and recovery.
  • 2023 – Departed BBC Radio 1 after a successful tenure across multiple flagship shows.
  • 2022 – Announced she was cancer-free following treatment for bowel cancer becoming a leading voice for awareness.
  • 2022 – Named Role Model of the Year at the British LGBT Awards recognising her advocacy and influence.
  • 2020 – Became the first Black woman to host the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show marking a milestone in broadcasting.
  • 2020 – Won Celebrity Coach Trip alongside her partner Kate Holderness.
  • 2019 – Appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! significantly raising her public profile.
  • 2015 – Became host of the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show marking her move into national broadcasting.