Who is David Croft? All you need to know about the Sky Sports F1 commentator

David Croft is a renowned Sky Sports F1 presenter and commentator who has captivated fans of the sport for more than a decade.

Born in Stevenage, England on June 19, 1970, the man now popularly known as 'Crofty' has carved a niche for himself in the realm of sports broadcasting.

The 53-year-old has had an illustrious career, having been behind the microphone for several sports before moving to F1 17 years ago.

Croft's voice has become synonymous with F1, with his infamous "It's lights out and away we go" catchphrase sending chills down the spines of fans around the world.

So how did the story begin...

From hospital radio to Sky Sports F1

Croft embarked on his broadcasting journey in hospital radio at Radio Fairfield. Following a three-year stint at BBC Three Counties Radio, he joined BBC Radio 5 Live in December 1998.

During his tenure at the station, he covered the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics and presented Saturday Sport during both the summers of 2004 and 2005.

Croft also lent his voice to the commentary on Super Bowl XLI, the legendary World Darts Championships at the Lakeside, and numerous major boxing fights including Joe Calzaghe’s final fight against Roy Jones Jr. at Madison Square Garden. All the time demonstrating his breadth of experience in the sporting realm.

In 2006, Croft's career took a momentous turn when he stepped into the shoes of legendary commentator Maurice Hamilton, taking over the reins of BBC Radio 5 Live's F1 coverage.

He partnered with former Super Aguri and Minardi driver Anthony Davidson and pitlane reporters Ted Kravitz and Natalie Pinkham, bringing expert commentary to each Grand Prix.

In 2012, Croft took the helm as Sky Sports F1's lead commentator, joining Martin Brundle and others.

Since then, his knowledge and infectious enthusiasm have played a pivotal role in shaping the channel's exceptional coverage of F1.

READ MORE: F1 Commentators: Meet the Sky Sports and Channel 4 teams including Martin Brundle, Naomi Schiff and Danica Patrick

A movie star and a gaming sensation

Croft's voice goes beyond the world of sports broadcasting and has made its mark in the entertainment industry with his exceptional vocal skills.

He lent his voice to the character of 'Lofty Crofty' - a blimp which provides commentary on plane racing - in the UK version of Disney's animated 2013 movie 'Planes'.

In addition, he hosted the live global broadcast of the premiere of the movie "Rush", the thrilling cinematic tribute to the rivalry between F1 legends Niki Lauda and James Hunt.

His voice is also known in the gaming world, having been in Codemasters' official F1 game since 2010. He can also be heard alongside Karun Chandhok in the new F1 Manager game.

Personal life

In late 2022, Croft announced his engagement to Laura Bradley, who currently holds the position of Chief of Guest Services and Hospitality at Aston Martin F1 Team.

He was previously married to Victoria Croft, and he is the father of two sons - Daniel and James Croft.

David Croft FAQ

How long has David Croft been in F1?

David Croft has been involved in F1 broadcasting since 2006, when he began working for BBC Radio 5 Live. He joined Sky Sports F1 in 2012 as the lead commentator, a role he has held ever since. So, he has been in F1 for 17 years.

How old is David Croft?

David Croft was born on June 19, 1970, and he is currently 53 years old.

Is David Croft married?

David Croft is currently engaged to Laura Bradley, who is the Chief of Guest Services and Hospitality at Aston Martin F1 Team. He was previously married to Victoria Croft.

Which football team does David Croft support?

David Croft is a lifelong West Ham United FC fan.

READ MORE: Best F1 TV commentators and presenters ranked: Kravitz and Brundle lead the way

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