Laura Woods is an English sports broadcaster and television presenter known for her work as the lead anchor for TNT Sports’ UEFA Champions League coverage. She gained public attention for her charismatic presenting style, her emotional departure from the talkSPORT Breakfast show in 2023, and hours after returning to the station for a one-off special in 2026, announcing she is pregnant with her second child .
Quick Facts
Full Name: Laura Woods
Age: 38 (born 1988)
Nationality: British
Occupation: Sports Broadcaster, Television Presenter
Known For: Lead presenter for TNT Sports’ Champions League coverage; former host of talkSPORT Breakfast
Marital Status: Engaged to Adam Collard
Children: One son, Leo Ernie Collard (born January 2025); one on the way
Early Life and Background
Woods was born in Dagenham, Essex, and grew up as a passionate Arsenal supporter. She studied print journalism at Kingston University, graduating in 2008 . Her initial work experience at a newspaper convinced her that television was her true calling. She later said: “I had already done a week’s work experience on a newspaper and decided it wasn’t for me” .
Career and Achievements
Woods began her broadcasting career as a production runner at Sky Sports, progressing through roles as an editorial assistant, assistant producer, associate producer, and producer before stepping in front of the camera . Her first presenting role was for Sky Sports’ YouTube channel covering darts, before moving on to report on the NFL and becoming a pitchside reporter on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday programme .
In 2017, Woods joined talkSPORT reviewing newspapers on the Sports Breakfast show with Alan Brazil. She worked her way up to co-host the show alongside Ally McCoist from March 2020 until June 2023, forming a much-loved partnership that won an Audio & Radio Industry Award (ARIA) for Best Show . Her departure from talkSPORT in 2023 was emotional, with McCoist paying tribute as Woods fought back tears. He said: “Everybody loves you, I love you and I’ve had an incredible three years working with you. Honest to God, we’ve never had a cross word” .
In 2023, Woods made the switch to TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) as the lead presenter for their UEFA Champions League coverage, one of the most prestigious roles in global football broadcasting . She also covers boxing for the channel and has worked for ITV, reporting on the Women’s World Cup and the 2025 Women’s Euros . Woods has been twice named the British Sports Journalism Awards Sports Presenter of the Year and received an honorary doctorate from Kingston University in January 2026 .
Major Event or Controversy
In August 2024, Woods faced significant online backlash after responding to an article concerning the gender controversy at the Paris Olympics involving boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting. She wrote “Great article” in response to a critical piece, which led to her receiving “numerous death threats to myself and my unborn child” at the time. She addressed the harassment publicly, stating she had been “called a racist, a bigot and a sexist” among other insults .
Why She Is In the News
Woods is in the news after a dramatic 24 hours in Budapest. On May 29, 2026, she returned to talkSPORT for a one-day-only reunion with Ally McCoist, co-hosting the Breakfast Show live from the Hungarian capital ahead of the Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain . Within hours of the broadcast ending, Woods and her fiancé, former Love Island star Adam Collard, announced on social media that they are expecting their second child . The couple, who got engaged in September 2024, already have a son, Leo Ernie Collard, born in January 2025 .
Conclusion
Laura Woods is widely regarded as the “golden girl” of British sports broadcasting, having risen from a production runner to the lead anchor for Champions League coverage. Her emotional return to talkSPORT and subsequent pregnancy announcement have delighted fans, marking another significant milestone in her personal and professional life .
