Last updated June 2008
Category: 5 Live
Printable version
Holly Samos is the pit-lane reporter on BBC Radio 5 Live's Formula 1 team. A versatile and accomplished reporter, producer and presenter, she has wide-ranging experience across a variety of genres.
Holly grew up in London, Athens, and Oklahoma and always wanted to work in broadcasting. While studying for a Design and Media Management degree she joined the former BBC Greater London Radio as a runner and switchboard operator, working on Chris Evans's Greenhouse show.
After university, Holly worked for MCA Records in the A&R department before moving to her first full-time job in radio, aged 22: it was at Virgin Radio for the launch of the national station in the UK.
She worked with the two Programme Directors of the station, concentrating on the day-to-day programming and ensuring the DJs were in the right place at the right time and saying the right things!
In 1995 Holly was recruited to be a researcher for Ginger Productions, which produced Chris Evans's BBC Radio 1 breakfast show from 1995 to 1997. As well as researching and celebrity booking for the show, she was asked by Chris to be on air from the outset and she became a popular figure on the show, known for her banter and gossip and earning the nickname Holly Hotlips.
When Chris parted company with Radio 1, Holly moved with him and the team to Virgin Radio when he bought the company, working on both his radio show and the hugely successful television show TFI Friday.
During this time Holly frequently reported for BBC One's Holiday programme, Money For Old Rope, Holiday On A Shoestring and Summer Holiday, as well as voicing several advertising campaigns and documentaries.
The breakfast show stayed at Virgin Radio until 2001 when the team disbanded, and Holly moved on to further her broadcasting career.
In 2001 Holly joined the Century Radio Network run from Capital Radio in London, presenting The Confessional, LoveLines and PartyHits; then she moved on to London's Heart 106.2 to present the Saturday morning magazine show.
She left Heart and moved back to Virgin Radio where she is a swing jock - as most of her time is spent travelling the world for eight months a year with Formula 1.
Holly also presented for four years on Radio Le Mans covering the prestigious 24-hour race in France.
Holly has always been a petrol-head and jumped at the chance to join the 5 Live Formula 1 team at the start of the 2006 season. She has reported from every Grand Prix since, and quickly gained credibility on the circuit.
When it comes to hobbies, it's a good thing she loves travelling so much. The other loves of her life are music, film, art and fashion.
