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Dot Davies

In her 25 year career, journalist and presenter Dot Davies has worked for BBC Wales, Radio Cymru, ITV Wales, S4C, BT Sport, Radio 5 Live and Radio 4. She has hosted the Rugby World Cup for ITV, and the Six Nations for the BBC. Dot’s broadcasting career very much began in the world of sport, however her network profile was elevated with her presence at Wimbledon for the BBC for many years. Her annual catch ups presenting alongside John McEnroe on ‘6love6’ were a particular highlight and coined the nickname ‘Wimbledot’. She presented the BBC Radio Wales phone in for five years, and now is the lead presenter for the station’s flagship Breakfast new programme. A fluent Welsh speaker, Dot grew up on a farm in Ceredigion, where her teachers report would say "Dot loves a chat". That’s stood her in good stead for talking to listeners on everything from Brexit to ballroom dancing while on the phone in. She was presenting during some key political moments including the resignations of Boris Johnson and Teresa May. Her passion for talking openly and candidly about health issues created safe spaces for listeners to share deeply personal stories about diagnosis and loss. And it lead to one listener seeking treatment after hearing her talk about prostate cancer. The doctor told him ‘that programme saved your life’. It is Dot’s proudest moment. As a lead presenter on the daily Radio Wales Breakfast, Dot is the trusted and authentic voice Wales wakes up to at 0700. She guides the audience through stories from around the corner and around the world. She is adept at holding those in power to account and challenging them with rigour and a fearless journalistic style. But she always leaves time and space for human stories, delivering difficult interviews with compassion, and making space for warmth, wit and Welshness. A master of light and shade, Dot delivers programmes full of personality, authenticity and impact. Dot says: “I'm a Mum of three, so life is pretty busy, but I hope that my experiences as a parent and a huge sports fan help me when I'm on air. There are always topics I can relate to, even if my eldest thinks Mam tends to 'over-share'. There’s a sense of connecting us all together. It’s a real thrill to be a part of BBC Radio Wales presenting team, and there’s never a dull moment! It’s a privilege to share the stories of our language and heritage, our politics and public services and of a modern, confident Wales. And we always look for that Welsh lens to connect a complex and divided world back to people’s kitchen tables and morning commutes. You’d be surprised where the Welsh turn up!”