Swimming presenter Sharron first made the headlines at the extraordinary age of 11 when she was selected for the 1976 Montreal Olympics and instantly became a household name. At only 14 she confirmed her talents by winning two European bronze medals – only losing out to the then all-conquering East Germans. But it was in 1978 that 15-year-old Sharron stormed to the first of her many successes winning Commonwealth gold medals in both 200 and 400m Individual Medley events.

Her astonishing form continued and in 1980 she took a silver at the Moscow Olympics. Sharron ‘retired’ at the age of 18 to pursue a media career, but she eventually found the lure of the water too much and returned in 1989, promptly regaining her national 200m title. As ladies' captain of the British team’s 1990 Commonwealth Games squad, she led from the front and returned with silver and bronze medals.

Retiring from competition in 1994, Sharron has become a regular on television and in the press. As a key member of BBC television’s commentating and presenting team she has covered many major events including the Seoul, Atlanta, Sydney and Athens Olympics as well as several Commonwealth Games.