Clare Runacres is a BBC radio journalist and newsreader. Affectionately known to her listening fanbase as Claaare Runacres, she has a warm, friendly, authoritative voice.

Her distinctive tone was first noticed by a nun at 11 when she was selected from her convent school class to read in church. She’s rarely been away from a microphone since. 

A Theology degree at Oxford University and a Diploma in Broadcast Journalism at Cardiff University followed. After developing her skills on hospital radio and local radio, she moved to London and first broadcast to a national audience in 2000. She’s a regular newsreader on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 5Live and was one of the founding voices of BBC 6Music. She was a continuity announcer on BBC Radio 4, reading the shipping forecast and introducing programmes. She has worked on commercial networks including LBC, News Direct, Sky Radio News and IRN. As well as her on-air work, she produces and presents radio reports and podcasts. She is a huge theatre fan and regularly reviews plays and films.

Clare has worked with broadcasting giants including Zoe Ball, Shaun Keaveny, Dermot O’Leary, Lauren Laverne, Jo Whiley, Craig Charles and Ken Bruce.

Clare is very proud to be a patron of the charity Duchenne UK which is fighting to find treatments for the devastating muscle-wasting condition Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. She’s a public speaker and event host.