Speaker Profile

Former Olympic skier, Graham Bell competed throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He is considered to be one of the best downhill skiers the UK has ever produced, winning the title of the Ski Champion of Britain an incredible eight times during his long and successful career.

Graham's love of skiing began as a very young child when his pilot father was posted to Edinburgh. He learnt to ski at Hillend dry slope, as well as taking advantage of the stunning Cairngorm mountain range to perfect his skills.

In 1984 he made his mark when he won silver medal at the World Junior Ski Championships. He went on to represent Great Britain in an incredible five Winter Olympics. He also finished a credible twelfth place in the notorious and feared Hahnenkamm Race in Kitzbühel, Austria.

Following his retirement from professional skiing in 1998, Graham has made an impression as a TV personality, most notably commentating on the Winter Olympics, as well as fronting the much loved and long running BBC show Ski Sunday. He has also worked as a pundit for the BBC during their coverage of the World Triathlon Series, and also presented for the prime-time sports programme High Altitude. Graham was also the Performance Director of Channel 4’s innovative show The Jump, which followed celebrities as they attempted to master a range of winter sport disciplines.

Graham relishes a challenge and has never lost that competitive edge. In 2003 he competed in the return of the show Superstars finishing in fourth place in the final. He has also taken part in a number of triathlons and mountain biking events.

Graham is an enthusiastic after dinner speaker who delivers speeches that motivate and inspire. He offers an insight into the world of sport and what it takes to become an Olympian, along with sharing stories from behind the scenes in television.