ITV Racing presenter Oli Bell is set to return to screens this weekend, bringing viewers more of the thrilling racing action they have come to expect. On Saturday, 8 August, Oli will host ITV’s coverage of the Shergar Cup at Ascot Racecourse, an annual horse racing event that showcases some of the sport’s finest jockeys.
He will be joined by fellow presenters Kevin Blake, Hayley Turner, Rishi Persad, and Natalie Green, with commentary provided by Mark Johnson. The broadcast will also feature coverage from other major racing venues, including Haydock and Newmarket.
Fans of ITV Racing will recognise Oli from prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Grand National, and the Cheltenham Festival. However, his path to becoming a familiar face in horse racing broadcasting was not straightforward. Raised in Somerset by his mother, Oli earned a drama scholarship and pursued his studies in Peterborough, where he developed an early passion for broadcasting by hosting a breakfast radio show at his school’s own station at just 15 years old.
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Oli’s broadcasting career advanced through roles as a live reporter at the Burghley Horse Trials and as a presenter at high-profile events like the Land Rover G4 Challenge and the British Touring Car Championships. At 18, he began working as an editorial assistant at Racing UK before transitioning to an on-screen presenting role.
Beyond his professional achievements, Oli’s family has strong ties to the racing world. His father, Rupert Bell, is a veteran sports commentator well known in racing circles, and his uncle, Michael Bell, is a Derby-winning trainer. One of Oli’s most memorable moments came in 2017 at Royal Ascot when his uncle’s horse won a race. Overcome with excitement, Oli momentarily forgot his reporting duties and ran onto the track in celebration.
The incident caught the attention of Queen Elizabeth II the following day, who greeted Oli with a smile and a playful comment: “You’re the lunatic that ran on the track yesterday.” Oli replied, “Yes I am,” capturing a moment he later described as “like having a dream” and “completely bonkers.”
On a personal note, Oli previously dated ITV Racing colleague Francesca Cumani, daughter of esteemed trainer Luca Cumani. Though they are no longer a couple, the pair have maintained a professional relationship and have continued to work together on numerous ITV Racing broadcasts over the years, including attending ITV’s 2026 Showcase alongside co-star Ed Chamberlin.
Francesca married Australian international polo player Rob Archibald in 2014 and they have a son together. After separating from Rob in 2018, Francesca pursued a relationship with Oli, which ended just before the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.
ITV Racing’s extensive coverage, including the upcoming Shergar Cup, is freely available to stream on ITVX.