Polly James (formerly Polly Lake;[2] born 1986 or 1987[1]) is a Welsh radio and television presenter.[3] She has presented for Absolute Radio,[1] Radio X,[4] and Capital South Wales.[5] She has been a television sports broadcaster, covering darts for Sky Sports,[6] as well as the Late Night Football Club, BBC One's chat show for the duration of Wales' participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[7][8]
Polly James | |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 November 1986 Cardiff, Wales |
| Spouse | Allan Lake (2000s–2010s)[1] |
| Children | 2 |
| Career | |
| Station | Radio X |
| Network | Global Media & Entertainment |
| Time slot | Weekend afternoons (2019–present) |
| Station | Capital South Wales |
| Network | Capital (radio network) |
| Time slot | Weekday Breakfast (–2019) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
Background
James was born in Cardiff, Wales,[9][10] and lived in Llanishen, Rhiwbina and Thornhill in the city and then Penarth.[11] She attended Stanwell Comprehensive in Penarth.[5]She competed for Wales and GB Juniors in athletics at an underage level.[5][12][1]
Career
James starting broadcasting in community radio stations like Afan FM,[13] and Bridge FM.[14] After working for Nation Radio Wales,[15][16][14][17] she presented an overnight show on Absolute Radio in the early 2010's,[1] moving to Capital South Wales in 2013.[5][18] During Capital's restructuring in 2019, her Capital South Wales breakfast show (with Matt Lissack) was cancelled and she moved to Radio X.[19][11] It was later nominated for Breakfast Show of the year.[20]
She presented for Radio X Friday and Saturday nights in 2019.[21][22] She has covered darts,[23] rugby, football and boxing as a sports broadcaster,[24][25] and presented for Unibet on social media.[14]
Personal life
James married fellow presenter Allan Lake and they founded a production company, Plush Productions, together in 2011.[1][2] They divorced in the 2010s.[1][5] She has one daughter and one son.[9][26] In August 2018, her discovery of a homeless person sleeping on her porch made national headlines,[27] and she rented out the property,[10] with its unusual art collection (giant sheep, shark head, paintings by Ronnie Wood, a statue of Freddy Krueger and a door mural of Tom Jones in his underwear) in 2019.[28]
She has spoken out against social media trolls,[29] and in favour of Welsh independence.[30]
