Biography

Helen Rollason was born on March 11, 1956 in London, England, UK. She was married to John Rollason. She died on August 9, 1999 in Shenfield, Essex, England, UK.

She was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for her services to Sports Broadcasting in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

The first woman to present the UK's premier sports show, BBC's Grandstand.

BBC has created the Helen Rollason Award in honour of her memory.

She has a daughter, Nikki.

She was educated at Bath High School for Girls; at the Chelsea College of Physical Education; and at Dahousie University in Canada.

On her illness: I don't fear death - I fear the carnage I'll leave behind in the sense of an emotionally stunned child. Nothing could prepare Nikki for something so awful. It seems desperately unfair to have a mum you've been incredibly close to - and suddenly you haven't got her.