Mike Bushell facts for kids

Mike Bushell was born on December 11, 1965. He is a well-known English sports presenter for the BBC. You might see him presenting sports news on BBC Breakfast. Mike is famous for trying out many different sports on his Saturday morning TV slot. He does this on BBC One and the BBC News Channel.

In 2019, Mike was a contestant on the popular TV dance show Strictly Come Dancing. He danced with professional partner Katya Jones. They were the seventh couple to leave the competition.

Mike Bushell's Early Life and School

Mike Bushell was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England. He spent his teenage years in Yorkshire. Before that, he grew up in northern Hertfordshire. He went to school in Stevenage and Ashwell.

When he was younger, Mike played chess for Hertfordshire. He also ran in the county's cross country running team. In 1977, his family moved to Harrogate. There, he attended secondary school at Granby High School. Later, he joined the National Youth Theatre.

In 1982, Mike took part in a fun game show called It's a Knockout. He represented Winchester in two games. His team finished last, but it was still an exciting experience.

Mike's Journey in Broadcasting

Mike Bushell started his career in journalism in 1990. He worked at local newspapers like the Derby Evening Telegraph and the Windsor and Slough Observer. His first job in broadcasting was at BBC Radio Solent. He started there as a trainee reporter.

After radio, Mike moved to television. He became a reporter and presenter for BBC South Today. He covered news, sports, and entertainment. Later, he joined the BBC News channel. Eventually, he became a familiar face on BBC Breakfast.

Mike Bushell's Career at the BBC

Mike Bushell presents sports on BBC Breakfast on Fridays and weekends. Sometimes, he also presents on other weekdays. A big part of his job is trying out many different sports on his Saturday morning show. He does this on BBC One.

His goal is to "inspire people off the sofa" and encourage them to "be more active." He wants people to "try a new activity." His TV segments often include helpful tips from famous sports stars. These include people like Serena Williams, Colin Montgomerie, and Ben Ainslie.

Mike has his own special web page called "Bushell's Best." You can find it on the BBC News website. In 2012, for Sport Relief, he set a world record. He traveled across water inside a giant inflatable ball! In June 2013, his first book was published. It was called Bushell's Best Bits.

He has been with the BBC News channel since it started in 1997. He also appeared on Celebrity Mastermind on December 28, 2013.

Memorable Moments on TV

On April 11, 2018, something funny happened during a live broadcast. Mike was at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. He was interviewing some of the English swimming team, including Adam Peaty. Mike didn't notice a big step and accidentally fell into the swimming pool!

His microphone stopped working because of the water. The TV coverage had to quickly switch back to the studios. It was a moment many people remember!

In January 2018, Mike also took part in a show called And They're Off!. This show helped raise money for Sport Relief.

As mentioned, Mike was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2019. He danced with Katya Jones. They were eliminated after losing a dance-off.

Mike Bushell's Personal Life

Mike Bushell has three daughters. He was married to Kim Payne for 16 years. They separated in 2009. Mike lives in Overton, Hampshire.

Mike enjoys playing football in his free time. He is also a runner with the Hash House Harriers. He is a big fan of the football team Leeds United.

See also

In Spanish: Mike Bushell para niños