Ayo Akinwolere

Ayo Akinwolere is a three time BAFTA nominee and RTS award-winning broadcaster. The former Blue Peter presenter is currently the face of investigative journalism in for BBC Inside Out West Midlands.

Born in Nigeria, Ayo moved to the Birmingham at the age of eight after his father was offered a scholarship at Birmingham University.

Ayo joined the BBC as a runner where his energy was instantly spotted and he was asked to audition for Blue Peter. In 2007 became the first black male presenter on the show.

Ayo won the hearts of the younger generation during his five years presenting for Blue Peter on his quest to overcome his fears of heights and water. He set two world records for swimming across the Palau Trench, an 8,000-metre deep abyss in the Pacific Ocean.

Ayo has also presented CBBC art show ‘SM:ART’, appeared on ITV’s Saturday night show ‘Dancing on Ice’, put his baking skills to the test in a special series of ‘The Great Comic Relief British Bake Off’ on BBC Two, joined the ‘Great British Banquet’, presented ‘The 100 Greatest Toys’ for Channel 4 and hosted ITV’s ‘Fort Boyard: Ultimate Challenge’. This October he will present World of Weird on Channel 4.