Sonia Deol

Sonia Deol

Sonia Deol has most recently presented BBC1... '1984 - A Sikh Story' and currently hosts the BBC Asian Network Morning Show. Sonia has been a TV reporter on Heaven and Earth (BBC1) and Desi DNA (BBC2). Sonia has anchored BBC Breakfast on BBC 1 and worked on The Big Question with Nicky Campbell (BBC1). Sonia has presented The Politics Show BBC1 in the Midlands And Network East on BBC 2.

As a Radio presenter Sonia has presented Drivetime on BBC London and been freelance cover on 5 Live.

Born in Birmingham, Sonia got a BA(Hons) in Humanities.
Sonia always knew from an early age what she wanted to do, so much so she had her first radio presenting experience at the age of 14 for her local radio station BBC WM raising money for Comic Relief.
She was poached by the BBC from commercial radio in 1996, to launch the first ever phone in show on the BBC Asian Network. It became the most listened to show on the network. She also became the face of BBC2's Network East for four years, interviewing a host of celebrities from the UK's Asian arts scene to Bollywood A Listers. In 2000, she joined BBC London to host Drive, a fast paced 3 hour all talk news and entertainment show. Highlights included presenting a live extended news programme covering the aftermath of 9/11 on the day the attacks took place on the twin towers.

She was asked to return to the BBC Asian Network in 2002 to launch it as a national station on DAB, and to host The Sonia Deol Show. A phone in show on social issues and current affairs. The show won a number of awards including a Sony Bronze. Below is what the Sony judges said:
"This programme bravely tackled what was obviously a taboo topic for the Asian audience, that of rape. The judges felt that Sonia Deol's likeable and warm presentation style engendered trust with callers which encouraged them to discuss a very distressing topic. Sonia particularly impressed the judges in the way she gave callers time on the programme. She never rushed them but the programme remained absorbing. This took real talent and Sonia has it."
Guardian Review- Immediately, it felt different. From the first moments of Sonia Deol's mid-morning show, BBC Asian Network felt vital in more ways than one. A superb, natural and elegant broadcaster, she is already being rightly celebrated on the network as something rather special. Populist and passionate radio at its powerful best.

Sonia showed her versatility in hosting phone ins on a variety of subjects from the war in Iraq, immigration, arranged marriages, homosexuality, relationships, racism within the police force, and so on. Her warmth and natural style made the programme a huge success. She interviewed leaders from all the main political parties, as well as a range of other guests ranging from stars of stage and screen.

In 2006 she was moved to the Breakfast Show on the BBC Asian Network.

Sonia co-hosted the BBC's Frank Gillard Awards with the then Director General Greg Dyke from the National Museum Of Photography, Film and Television in 2003.

Another highlight has been meeting the Queen at Broadcasting House on her 80th birthday and giving the national press their headlines - Whilst most were coy about speaking to Her Majesty, Sonia asked "..and what would you like for your birthday?" to which the Queen laughingly replied "I have everything but what I would like is a nice sunshiny day" Those words made it to pretty much every front page the next morning!

OTHER WORK:

Sonia has been a reporter on The Heaven And Earth Show (BBC1) interviewing amongst others Clare Short about her tough decision to give up her baby for adoption and then years later being re-united with him. Also interviewed Olivia Newton John about her role in Grease, to her battle with cancer. She also did a number of reports on everyday people who had moments which changed their lives forever. For example, the guy who was an alcoholic who now runs a centre for those with the same problem, and she went to LA to interview the multi million pound fraudster who has now turned to God and is paying everything back, despite serving his time in prison.
- Sonia has been a reporter on Desi DNA (BBC2), reporting on Asian Identity to the growing number of young people turning to the sex industry to make fast money.
- Sonia has been presenter of The Politics Show (BBC1), for the Midlands.
- Sonia was the interactive presenter with Nicky Campbell on The Big Questions on BBC1. A live one hour debate show, her job was to deal with texts, calls and emails and give the audience an idea of what people were saying.
- Sonia more recently has been seen presenting on BBC Breakfast on BBC1/BBC News Channel. And also reading the main news bulletins on The Andrew Marr Show on BBC1.

She currently presents the Sonia Deol Show on The BBC Asian Network.

Sonia also has a passion for writing, she has hosted many live shows from Corporate events to fashion shows, and narrated a number of documentaries broadcast on the BBC and Channel 4.