Sophie Raworth | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sophie Raworth |
| Occupation | Presenter |
| Spouse | Richard Winter (13 December 2003-present) |
| Children | 2, expecting third |
Sophie Raworth (pronounced /'ɹeɪ.wəθ/) (born 15 May 1968, in Yorkshire) is an English news reader and television presenter best known for presenting the BBC]]'s One O'Clock News.
Born to a florist mother and a businessman father in Yorkshire, she was raised in Redhill, Surrey and attended the independent Putney High School and St Paul's Girls' School in Hammersmith. After completing a degree in French and German at the University of Manchester, Raworth spent a year teaching English to teenagers in Toulouse before studying for a postgraduate course in broadcasting and journalism at City University, London. [1][2]
She joined the BBC in 1992 as a news reporter, first for Greater Manchester Radio and then as BBC Regions correspondent in Brussels in April 1994.[1]
In May 1995, she became the regular joint presenter of BBC's Look North programme in Leeds, moving to BBC Breakfast News in 1997.[1]
She then joined the BBC's early morning news programme Breakfast at its launch in 2000, which she presented alongside Jeremy Bowen on Monday-Thursdays. She then moved to the BBC Six O'Clock News in January 2003 which she presented alongside George Alagiah; she was a presenter on this bulletin until October 2005 when she went on maternity leave, and was replaced by Natasha Kaplinsky. In March 2006 Raworth was named as the main presenter of the BBC One O'Clock News, replacing Anna Ford on Monday-Thursdays. She took up the position in June 2006 after returning from maternity leave. She also can occasionally be seen presenting relief shifts on the rolling news channel BBC News 24
Raworth has also presented several BBC specials, including coverage of the Queen's Golden Jubilee and Our Monarchy - the Next 50 Years, both alongside David Dimbleby.[1] In addition, she has appeared on Tomorrow's World and entertainment programmes such as Dream Lives and the Judgemental quiz-show in autumn 2002.
In 2004 Raworth appeared on the BBC fashion show What Not To Wear, in which she was given a makeover by style advisors Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine. In 2006 she was part of the television coverage of the Children's Party at the Palace, an event to celebrate the Queen's 80th Birthday. Along with Huw Edwards, she presented some fake news updates for the programme, which led to many complaints from viewers.[3] Raworth had a cameo role as a newsreader in the last series of the BBC comedy series My Hero.
In August 2007, it was reported by The Guardian that with the departure of Kirsty Young from Five News, the broadcaster is on the lookout for a big name to replace her, with Sophie being a possibility. However, another BBC newsreader, Natasha Kaplinsky was recruited. [4]. On 3rd January 2008 Raworth presented the One, Six and Ten O'Clock News. Becoming the first news presenter to present the three main BBC News bulletins on the same day.
Having admitted only having three boyfriends,[2] Raworth married old friend, estate agent Richard Winter in December 2003, after being proposed to on the Amalfi Coast. The couple presently have two daughters and live in West London. She is good friends with Kate Gerbeau. In October 2007 it was reported Raworth is expecting her third child in February 2008. Kate Silverton will be Sophie's replacement during her maternity leave.[5] Raworthe is good friends with Kate Gerbeau.