BBC Local is launching a brand-new podcast to celebrate some of Britain’s most iconic sporting underdogs and their journeys to triumph against the odds.
Sport’s Greatest Underdogs is hosted by BBC presenter James Threlfall and features eye-opening conversations with inspirational sporting heroes, exploring their personal struggles, determination, and history-making moments.
The line-up includes Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, who had only been ski jumping for 20 months before qualifying for the Calgary Olympics in 1988.
Eddie shares how he borrowed kit, ate out of bins, and slept in his car to achieve his dream, later becoming the subject of a Hollywood film starring Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman.
James also speaks with Nicolas Hamilton, the first disabled driver to compete in the British Touring Car Championship.
Nic talks openly about living with cerebral palsy, depression, gambling addiction, and his suicide attempt, as well as the positives and negatives of being Lewis Hamilton’s brother.
Olympic BMX gold medallist Beth Shriever tells how she lost her funding ahead of Tokyo 2020 and had to work as a teaching assistant and set up a GoFundMe to compete.
Double Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams shares her journey growing up in the male-dominated boxing world and realising her Olympic dream at London 2012.
The podcast also features a two-part special on Leicester City’s 2016 Premier League title win as 5000-1 outsiders, with defenders Robert Huth and Christian Fuchs joined by 5 Live’s John Bennett to relive their historic season.
Host James Threlfall said: “I couldn’t be more excited for Sport’s Greatest Underdogs to be out into the world. I really feel we’ve managed to cover aspects of each story that aren’t out there in the public domain, and that really excites me. I hope listeners leave feeling inspired too.”
Chris Burns, BBC Controller of Local Audio Commissioning, added: “It’s really the story of how these people got there, their personal challenges and determination, that inspires us. In this podcast, we share six of the best.’
Sport’s Greatest Underdogs launches on BBC Sounds from Wednesday 23 July, with episodes released weekly.
