ITV Racing host Oli Bell answers our questions and gives his tips for Cheltenham Festival
From humble beginnings, Oli Bell has made it right to the top of his profession.
The firm favourite with ITV Racing viewers is poised for another action-packed Cheltenham Festival. Hosting the Social Stable with Love Island star Chris Hughes, it their his job to make viewers feel part of the event.
Bell also takes the leading role on The Opening Show, an extended 90-minute programme on each day of the meeting. Pundits have been allotted more time to analyse the races and debate the day's talking points, views accompanied by live footage from the track.
Here Bell talks about his role in our special Cheltenham Festival Q&A – and gives us his top tips for the week...
What is your background in racing?
All I was interested in at school was sport. Mum says I would go to kids parties with the Sporting Life while my friends were running around eating crisps or having their faces painted! I was about four when I went to Leicester for the first time and saw a horse called Home By The Hill, trained by my uncle Michael, win and I caught the racing bug.
How did you get into broadcasting?
From the age of 14 I was doing school radio and live interviews – any excuse to get out of double History! I built up my experience and a friend of mine was a receptionist at Racing TV She linked me up – and I started at the bottom of the ladder as a runner, making teas for Lydia (Hislop) and Lucky (Nick Luck). Working behind the scenes was the best introduction, learning how live TV works.
I had a screen test with Rishi (Persad) at Sandown and after several years I had the chance to present from Salisbury when someone was ill. I was terrified and didn't sleep all night. I was then asked to work for Sky in Australia and I spent three years over there. I'm a bit of a worrier but felt I could give it a go as I had a job to come back to.
Was it challenging to adapt your presenting style from Racing TV to ITV?
Yes. Racing TV was a massive comfort blanket as it was all I had known. I went in there as an 18-year-old with his bleach blonde hair, trying to look cool! Then in 2017 it was into the terrestrial world. It took me a few months to be myself.
On Mum's side of the family, my brother and sister aren't really interested in racing so it's second nature to explain certain things. When I'm working for ITV I try to present like I'm talking to my mates down the pub and conveying my love for racing.
What is your favourite role in your current job?
I adore presenting The Opening Show, especially when it's Cheltenham and it is an extended 90-minute show every day . In the afternoon I love to be as close to the action as possible, however the way I see it is we are one big team and it's my job to be put in a role which gives the audience the best experience.
This year you will once again be the face of the Social Stable. Tell us about that...
At ITV we want people to feel they are a part of the action. It bridges the gap using social media and seeing what people are talking about. Where we are on course, a lot of racegoers stop and chat and it's a real joy, because I'm as much as a fan as they are. Chris Hughes will join me at the start of each programme and then go out on his roving role. We will have a couple of celebrities coming to speak to us and I hear Jack Whitehall may be swinging by.
What is your earliest memory of the Cheltenham Festival?
The years of Istabraq winning the Champion Hurdle. He was an absolute monster and he used to make the hairs on my neck stand up. I saw a picture of him the other day in retirement and he's still going strong at the age of 31, which is fantastic.
Do you have a favourite winner?
Black Hercules in the 2016 JLT Novices' Chase. I heard he would be going for the race rather than the four-miler, so got a nice price about him. He was Ruby Walsh's 50th Cheltenham Festival winner too.
What are you most looking forward to at this year's meeting?
Constitution Hill – I think we have one of the best jump horses ever on our hands. I can't remember seeing a horse as impressive in the flesh, one I will end up telling my kids about. Owner Michael Buckley said he was asked for his autograph the other day. So people are aware how brilliant the horse is.
The other thing about this year's meeting is the rest of the races look so open which makes it more entertaining. There will be competitive fields and decent betting markets.
Who have you enjoyed interviewing/meeting the most?
In 2021 I met a racegoer called Brenda (Karn-Smith) at Goodwood, who has since sadly died. She was really bubbly and gave me an interview I didn't expect, I was in awe of her. To me that means more than interviewing famous people.
What is racing's biggest challenge at the moment?
The whip I think is short-term noise and we won't be talking about it at next year's Festival. The fixture list and prize money are two issues. Places like Australia and Japan have a booming industry and if we don't address what's happening here, British racing won't have the power it once had.
What do you enjoy doing outside of racing?
Playing poker, I recently won the European Grand Prix. I have presented other sports for ITV, I enjoy playing golf and training in a boxing gym. I'm due to have a fight coming up and there is talk I might be taking on trainer Charlie Fellowes! I have also written some children's books at home to fill some time.
