Winter Paralymics 2026: Meet the Presenters
The Winter Paralympics 2026 presenters on legacy, ambition - and who they're most excited to watch
Channel 4
- Gabriel Tate
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Ade Adepitan
Ade Adepitan. Channel 4
The presenter has been part of Channel 4’s Paralympics coverage since London 2012 and is a familiar face on programmes from The One Show to Unreported World. He won a bronze medal in wheelchair basketball in the 2004 Paralympics.
How are you on snow and ice?
Rubbish on ice, OK on snow. I ski a bit, although I got a bit too ambitious on the snow a few years ago and injured myself. Anyone who’s had polio doesn’t like the cold. I’m the sort of person that starts wearing thermals from the Notting Hill Carnival onwards, so
I’ll be wearing heated underpants, heated socks, heated gilets… I don’t know if you can broadcast with a balaclava on, but I might give it a go.
Is there a different vibe to the Winter Paralympics?
It feels more chilled than the summer Games, but with a lot more danger to it: visually impaired athletes coming down an icy mountain, relying on a guide to tell you over Bluetooth where to turn? The stakes are so high.
There’s nothing more life-affirming than going to the top of a mountain
Ade Adepitan
Which Brits are you tipping for victory?
Neil Simpson and his brother Andrew, his guide in the super-G, won our only gold last time, so I hope they defend their title. Menna Fitzpatrick had a bad injury in December so she won‘t be 100 per cent, but at her best she can compete with the top skiers. And I love James Barnes-Miller — watching him go from young whippersnapper to snowboarding veteran has been amazing. I’d love to see him finish with a medal.
What legacy would you like to see from these Paralympic Winter Games?
There’s nothing more life-affirming, when you have a disability, than going to the top of a mountain, then seeing the faces of non-disabled people as you glide past them in a sit ski. The energy, strength and confidence that gives you is massive and I want every disabled person to experience that. Society beats you down as a disabled person and I want these Paralympics to show people what we’re about, despite everything we have to deal with.
Alice Tai
The consolation for the triple Paralympic gold-medal-winning swimmer is that instead of competing she will be reporting on the action from Italy for Channel 4…
As a Paralympic swimmer, how do you feel about reporting rather than competing?
Really excited! I deeply understand the connection between a good performance that’s not got you on the podium, and one where you won a medal but you’re disappointed in the performance. I’m intrigued by all the technicalities.
I had my eye on making the Para biathlon team myself but left it a bit late because I was training for Paris. A Brit has never medalled at both Paralympics and Winter Paralympics, and I really wanted to do it first.
I know that Jo Butterfield could achieve that feat this year. I want her to win, but selfishly, I’m kind of hoping she comes second!
I had my eye on making the para biathlon team, but left it a bit late
Alice Tai
What event are you most excited about seeing?
The sledge hockey: you think wheelchair rugby is violent? Just you wait.
And you’re working alongside Dame Sarah Storey, a Para-athlete who switched disciplines very successfully.
When I first started Paraswimming, I was beating her British records. That’s how I found out that she used to swim! I’d love to take a leaf from her book — to stay at such an elite level for so long is really impressive — and I think she’s had enough success in cycling to not be bitter about me taking her records…
What are your memories of London 2012?
I remember, after the Olympics, those Channel 4 posters saying, “Thanks for the warm-up”. I’d never seen such care and love put into the marketing of the Paralympics and it got me so excited for it. Then watching Ellie Simmonds in the 400m freestyle, when she turned for the final 50m and the crowd erupted… I was like, I want to do this.
Billy Monger
Channel 4
After a crash curtailed a promising motorsport career and resulted in a double leg amputation, Billy Monger has continued racing, broken world Iron Man records and Raced across the World with his mum. He’s now co-hosting Channel 4’s daytime Paralympics coverage.
Does this feel like your first proper Paralympic Winter Games, given the Covid restrictions around 2022?
Yeah, the lack of buzz in Beijing was weird. Ed Jackson and I are hosting the daytime live show between us, which is an exciting step up, because a lot of my motorsport work is as a pundit rather than presenter. And being in a studio halfway up a mountain provides its own challenges, as you can imagine.
Are you a winter sports fan?
When I was a kid, I went skiing a few times and I’ve taken up sit skiing since my accident. Engaging your core in a different way takes time to get used to, but flying down a mountain is a thrill.
Being in a studio halfway up a mountain provides its own challenges
Billy Monger
Who are you looking forward to watching?
I’ve followed the cross country skier Scott Meenagh for a few years. In my early days, figuring out how to get through after my crash, as a fellow double amputee he seemed to have that strong athletic mindset.
At first, the priority is regaining the basic independence of being able to walk again. But I wanted to feel like I could still live an exciting life and he really opened my mind. It’s his last hurrah, so a medal would be a cool way to bow out.
And you’ve got your own Paralympic ambitions?
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I’m continuing the training that worked for me in Kona, Hawaii (breaking the Iron Man world record for a double amputee in 2024), with the aim of competing in the paratriathlon at Los Angeles in 2028. To wear the GB colours for the first time is an exciting thought, although it might be hard to keep up the work for Channel 4 at the same time!
Authors
Gabriel Tate
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