Suzi Perry is currently the face of the BBC coverage of Formula One and is a popular and in-demand television presenter. Impressively, Suzi has built an exciting and lucrative career in the often male-dominated fields of motorsports and consumer technology. As a sports correspondent, she has provided coverage of a number of major and widely viewed sporting events including Wimbledon, Royal Ascot, the Boat Race and the London Marathon.
Perry was born in Cosford, Shropshire and chose to study a Business and Finance degree at what is now the University of Wolverhampton – an institution that would later present her with an Honorary Fellowship. After she graduated, Perry enjoyed success as a fashion model, spending a year in Japan before entering television advertising around Europe.
It was in 1997 that Perry began her professional broadcasting career with the titan sports network,Sky Sports. She was soon embarking on other projects, undertaking coverage of MotoGP in the same year for another heavyweight, BBC Sport. Perry would provide coverage for 13 seasons, ultimately stepping down due to her discomfort at the lack of a suitable work-life balance. However, despite her departure from MotoGP, Perry would remain with the BBC in other sporting ventures as a key member of the coverage team for the 2010 Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot.
From 2013 onwards, Perry has held a groundbreaking position as a presenter of the BBC’s Formula One coverage. As part of a trio that includes retired F1 driver David Coulthard and former motorsport team manager Eddie Jordan, Perry provides extensive analysis and exclusive interviews with drivers. Perry’s appointment as a main presenter was a pioneering move as she became the first permanent female anchor for Formula One coverage on British television. Additionally in 2015, the BBC announced that Perry would also present a new show revolving around Formula One called Formula 1 Rewind in which she, alongside semi-retired F1 journalist and commentator Murray Walker, explores the F1 archives of the BBC. In the wake of the recent Top Gear scandal, Perry has been tipped as a likely contender for becoming a member of the presenting team of the immensely popular show.
In conjunction with her extensive career with the BBC, Perry has also provided coverage for other prominent television shows. These include the programmes Housecall, Superstars, City Hospital and Holiday. Outside of her sporting coverage, she is also perhaps most well-known for having co-hosted the popular weekly Channel 5 programme The Gadget Show from 2004 to 2012. Perry’s affiliation with technology is based in her expertise and genuine passion, as she has held the position of a technology ambassador for The Ideal Home show for the past five years. She has also made guest appearances on television shows such as Through the Keyhole (2008), All Star Mr & Mrs(2010) The Wright Stuff (2012), The Sarah Millican Television Programme (2013) and The One Show (2015).
In 2012, Perry, along with many other celebrities, took part in the BBC show Let’s Dance for Comic Relief, performing a routine to the song ‘Livin’ the Vida Loca’ along with her fellow Gadget Show presenter Ortis Deley. Charitable causes that Perry advocates include ‘Promise Dreams’ – an organization from her hometown that offers support and treatment for terminally ill children – and NABD (the National Association for Bikers with a Disability).
Reflecting on her role as a live presenter, Perry has stated, “My passion is for live broadcasting, whatever the platform. There have been times where pre-recorded shows were the only option, but live awakens the senses, they really are two entirely different jobs…” Versatility is one of Perry’s strong suits, and she has proven time and time again that she can turn her hand to all manners of complicated and fast-paced subjects, whilst still making them accessible, exciting and enjoyable to a wide variety of audiences.
For an enquiry on Suzi Perry, please click here via the MN2S Talent Agency.