Anyika Onuora made her Olympic debut in 2008 as part of the wider 4 x 100m relay squad but had to wait another long 4 years before making it on to the race track having narrowly missed out on final team selection in Beijing. At London 2012 Anyika competed in the Olympic stadium in both the 100m and 200m individual events. Three years later in 2015 Anyika made the decision to change race discipline to take on the longer, gruelling sprint endurance of 400 metres. This change proved to be a successful one for Anyika and just one year later at the Rio Olympics she received her Olympic Bronze medal along with her teammates in the 4×4 relay.
Leading up to 2016 Anyika enjoyed relay success at the World Championships, again picking up a Bronze whilst also winning relay Gold at the European championships and individual 400 metre bronze.
In October 2015 Anyika travelled to Nigeria and unfortunately contracted the disease Malaria. At a time when she should have been ramping up her winter training Anyika was, instead, extremely ill for several weeks. If her diagnosis had come just a few hours later the outcome could have been worse for her; a lot worse. She was told by her consultant that she was lucky to be alive. The time spent in hospital was extremely tough and there were days when Anyika wondered if she would make it out but after experiencing extreme fevers Anyika started to build her strength; quite literally step by step. She first learnt how to walk again then started to run and eventually got back to the training track. 10 months after contracting the disease Anyika was stood on the Olympic podium.
Anyika only told a couple of her GB squad team mates about her illness, she did not want to use it as any kind of weakness. In contrast her experience has taught her quite how much strength she does have.
Anyika’s story is one of perseverance, whether that is dealing with body confidence issues, fighting harder following non-selection or working hard to get back to fitness after a life-threatening illness. An eloquent and engaging speaker with a story that will inspire many to dig deep and understand that there is always more strength in our tank than we first think.
In November 2019 Anyika announced her retirement from athletics after a 20-year involvement in the sport.
Andy has worked in the event business for 30 years; including 11 with the BBC in the North predominantly as BBC Radio Lancashire’s sport presenter. He has fronted over 2000 events from business presentations, conferences, awards ceremonies, gala dinners, summer balls, international sporting events, competitions, sporting dinners and golf days.
Andy’s wealth of experience ensures he can adapt comfortably to every situation and under pressure takes a calm, flexible approach. He appreciates the attention to detail and protocol required, events run to time and itinerary, allowing clients to relax and entertain their guests.
A very composed and confident presenter, Andy is not a comedian, however he ensures every event is enhanced by its unique entertaining style. He holds audience attention, his professionalism and spontaneity guarantees the evening flows throughout. If you are fund raising look no further; recognised as on of the best auctioneers in the business. Go on exceed your expectations!
Sam Harland’s unique, observational humour, is drawn from his working class roots. He is able to engage his audience in a warm, quick-witted and friendly manner. Sam’s material is self-deprecating, ironic and honest, particularly in relation to his colourful past escapades.
He is the consummate professional and delivers constantly. His popularity among his audience and fellow comedians is well deserved.
Mark Jones is the perfect host for awards and sportsmen’s dinners; he is entertaining, professional and experienced. He works across the UK and worldwide.
Mark has hosted Manchester United’s Player-of-the-Year awards every year since 2002. He was live MC for all Sky Sports’ Masters Football, hosting all their televised UK arena tournaments, plus those in Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Brunei and Macau, China, he presented the live TV interviews too.
“Thank you for doing a great job, the awards were a huge success. How you managed to keep us on time still amazes us! See you next year! #TopMC”
Mark Duggan, Managing Director, The Pallet Network
“They were a difficult crowd to please, you did an exceptional job! Well done!”
HRH Sophie, Countess of Wessex [Mark hosted the official opening of Aquavale Leisure Complex, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire]
John Gillan is a comedian who has established himself as one of the most in demand entertainers on the
circuit.
He has a natural comedic standpoint on life and as one review of him said ‘He can make you laugh talking
about a brown paper bag.’ John’s comedy can be clean or risqué, depending on the requirements, but a
great night’s entertainment is always assured.
John has over 11 Clubland accolades to his name, including the Lancashire Show Guest Comedian in 2009,
NFES Guest Comedian in 2014 and the Blackpool Command Guest Comedian in 2015. He has also worked
alongside some of the country’s top TV comedy stars, such as Jimmy Cricket, Al Murray; Johnnie Casson to
name a few.
His non-stop humour will have you roaring with laughter throughout his brilliant repartee of topical and
varied stories mixed in with quick one-liners, all delivered in his attractive walk-about style.
Here's a man who knows how to work an audience, get the most laughs per second than anyone you’ll ever
come across. If you book him, make sure you turn your mobile off and definitely don't go to the toilet!
Introducing one of the South’s leading and most sought after mainstream comedians. A veteran of the after-dinner circuit and a consummate professional. He has performed with many sports stars and celebrities at events up and down the country. Now in his 30th year in show-business, Adger works mainly on the Corporate and Sporting dinner circuit along with Corporate and Charity Golf Days. He is an active member of The Variety Club Golfing Society, A Barker with The Variety Club of Great Britain and a proud member of the Grand Order of Water Rats.
Adger Brown is one of the most versatile comedians on the mainstream circuit of cabaret and variety. If you have a sense of humour then you must simply listen to Adger. Adger is a naturally funny man who can supply a stream of laughs on just about every topic while successfully raising funds in an auction. For a versatile performer who can adapt his act to suit your requirements, you need look no further than Adger Brown for your event.
Roger is an professional and versatile MC, who has entertained audiences all over the UK. Being his passion, he is particularly well known across rugby circles and is one of the best on the circuit.
Roger played hockey for England in the 1970’s and coached the team just before they became successful. Despite his honesty at being slightly overweight, cricket is still on the active agenda, as is golf. At cricket as a non-turning off-spinner and a bandit off 24 at golf, he has enjoyed some success at both and enjoys speaking and making people laugh – sometimes at his cricket and golf! Having spoken at functions of all types for over 25 years, he finds he is now ready for anything.
Steve Cram is a legend on the track, breaking records in the 1500m, 2000m and mile distances. He was winner of 6 Gold medals at the Commonwealth, European and World Championships, as well as winning Silver at the Los Angeles Olympics.
Since his days as a successful Olympian Steve has taken his career into journalism, he is the BBC’s chief athletics commentator, as well as writing extensively for the national press.
Steve’s knowledge and experience of the sporting landscape, from individual athletic success to over a decade in broadcasting, makes him an ideal role model and ambassador for any brand.Steve was also a key character in the bid for and the running of the London 2012 Olympics. His experiences make him an engaging and motivational speaker, suitable for any event.
David Trick represented England at every level, from under-16’s through to International. He joined Bath in 1978 whilst still at school and played almost three hundred games, scoring 191 tries. David also briefly ventured into athletics and was the National Junior 100m sprint Champion with a best time of 10.4 seconds. After this brief encounter, David decided that he was a rugby man at heart.
He toured Argentina and South Africa with the England team and played twelve games (scoring eleven tries) between 1980 and 1986.
David is a light hearted after dinner speaker and never fails to entertain with his stories and charm. The upmost gentleman, his feedback is consistently outstanding from all audiences.
Steve has a wealth of experience as a comedian. He has been principle comedian in over nineteen pantomimes. He has worked all over the world on cruise ships.
He has a worked as a TV warm up on shows such as “Stars In Their Eyes Kids” with Cat Deeley, and “Russian Roulette” with Rhona Cameron.
He has supported many comedians and TV personalities in theatre, cabaret and at events. These include; Ricky Tomlinson, Ken Dodd, Brian Conley, Joe Pasquale, Ant & Dec and Des O’Connor .
He has been comic and host in many theatre productions, such as Flashback and Red Hot Chartbusters.He has also written comedy for other people. He was delighted to be asked by John Challis to write some material for himself and Sue Holderness for the “Boycie and Marlene” Tour.