Interview with Billy Monger ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Channel 4
Category: InterviewWe sat down with Billy Monger to discuss the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Channel 4
You’re back for another year of Paralympic Games coverage on Channel 4. Are you thrilled to be returning?
I’m so thrilled to be returning for the Paralympics. It’s hopefully going to be a little bit warmer than last time and a little bit closer to home, so I'm really excited.
What will you be doing this year? Who are you hosting with?
Vick Hope and I will be presenting the Breakfast show together. We’re going to be keeping everyone at home up to date with what happened the day before and looking ahead to the day’s activities. I’m looking forward to it.
What do the Paralympics mean to you?
The Paralympics to me are a chance for people with disabilities to show what they are capable of. That is something that doesn’t happen a lot, so I think it’s a cause for celebration to see people come together and give it their all.
What are you most looking forward to about Paris 2024?
I’m interested to see all the Paralympic events.
At this point, there are some that I haven’t had chance to see in person. Athletics is normally something that really excites me because what they do is incredible.
Channel 4 is broadcasting more hours of live sport with more ways to watch than ever before. How important is the Channel to the profile of the Paralympics?
Channel 4 has helped to massively boost the ways you watch the Paralympics and also introducing people to Paralympic sport. It can’t be understated what they’ve done to promote that.
I think it gives these incredible athletes the chance to show us all what they can do. Also, how they overcome the adversity that they have in their day-to-day lives, let alone when they are competing in these different sports. It’s really cool.
Are there any events that you’re looking forward to more than others?
I’m looking forward to being at a Games when it isn’t COVID. Last time, the Winter Paralympics was under restrictions, so you didn’t get to feel the buzz around the city. I think this is going to bring Paris to life even more than it usually is.
Your nickname is Billy Whizz, can you let us in on the story behind that?
So, my nickname Billy Whizz came through my mum. She works as a make-up artist in the film industry and she was doing a Fast and Furious film. My mum was telling the actor Sung Kang that her son is an up-and-coming racing driver and that she wanted to build him a bit of a profile. It was Sung’s idea to come up with a nickname - he said, ‘we need something fast, something cool’ and he came up with Billy Whizz!
We can’t forget you’re going to be in Paris! Have you been before? What’s your favourite thing to do?
I’ve only been to Paris on a handful of occasions for work and I haven’t spent more than one night in a row there, so this will be my first chance to see what Paris has got to offer. I know I'm going to enjoy the pastries and all the lovely French foods.
In your downtime from hosting duties, what do you hope you’ll be able to get up to? Anything to tick off the bucket list?
When I've been to Paris before, I've seen the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, but I never been inside, so I might do that!
How is your French? Can you give us your best phrase?
My French is not great, the one phrase I say is ‘Je ne parle pas Français’.
Stream and watch live on Channel 4 all day, every day from Wednesday 28th August to Sunday 8th September