Ade Adepitan

Ade Adepitan is no stranger to adversity, famed as a British television presenter and wheelchair basketball player. After contracting polio as a child and losing the use of his left leg, Ade has not let his disability take over his life. His drive and determination for everything that he puts his mind to is commendable, whilst also making him a firm favourite amongst the general public. Ade initially gained success and fame from playing wheelchair basketball. He began playing for the Milton Keynes Aces Club, before progressing to being selected for Great Britain’s team. He played as part of Great Britain’s team who played in the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, winning the bronze medal in Men’s wheelchair basketball. A year later in 2005, Ade went on to compete in the 2005 Paralympic World Cup in Manchester, where his team won the gold medal.

Now Ade is predominantly known as a TV personality, frequently featuring on a number of programmes for the BBC. He is especially well known for using his TV personality to campaign against racism and disability discrimination. Ade’s first TV appearances were being a presenter on CBBC’s Xchange, featuring in EastEnders and starring as a basketball coach in the series Desperados. Since then Ade has gone on to present a number of shows for the BBC. He participated in a documentary called Beyond Boundaries, a documentary which saw him trekking through rainforests, deserts, rivers and mountains. In 2014 Ade was selected to be one of the presenters for The Travel Show, a series from the BBC surrounding travelling. Ade also had the privilege of covering the Invictus Games for the BBC. In 2016 Ade co-presented New York: America’s Busiest City. BBC Two also hosts the talent of Ade, presenting Africa With Ade Adepitan.

As well as the BBC, Ade has also done several presenting jobs for Channel 4. He presented Britain on Benefits in 2013 and an episode of Unreported World. He also hosted the Winter Paralympic Games for Channel 4. Additionally, he was also a part of the Channel 4 Rio 2016 Paralympics presenting team. Ade is a very charitable person, supporting a number of different charities alongside his TV work. He supports the NSPCC and The Wheelpower Charity alongside being a patron of the Go Kids Go organisation. Ade’s hard work and commitment throughout his career has not gone unnoticed. He was awarded an MBE in 2006, which he was awarded for his services to disability sports. Loughborough University presented Ade with an honourary doctorate for his contributions to disability sport. Most recently, in 2023, Ade was commissioned for Channel 4's Ade: My Week in the Whitest Place on Earth - proving his continued demand for television presenting. 

Having been named on the Powerlist of the 100 Most Influential Black British People, Ade is a highly respected household name - who is now hired for a range of presenting and keynote speaking engagements. Whether he be sharing the story of his successful wheelchair basketball career or how he has overcome adversity throughout his life, Ade is guaranteed to captivate audiences of all ages. If you are looking for an inspirational speaker or host for your next event, don't hesitate to hire Ade Adepitan today!

Watch our exclusive interview with Ade Adepitan, over on our YouTube channel! Additionally, Ade Adepitan was recently honoured for his commitment to diversity and inclusion advocacy when he was listed as one of the Official Top 25 Diversity & Inclusion Speakers in the World, Ranked on Popularity!