Latest news with #SamQuek
Wales Online
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Sam Quek taken to hospital after finding blood in terrifying ordeal
Sam Quek taken to hospital after finding blood in terrifying ordeal Sam Quek will line up for the latest edition of Soccer Aid at Manchester United's Old Trafford on Sunday night Olympian and TV presenter Sam Quek (Image: Amir Hossain/) Sam Quek is back on our screen this evening as she laces up her boots for the latest edition of Soccer Aid. Quek is no stranger to sporting arenas, with the former Olympic gold medallist a decorated star in her own right. At 36 years of age, the winner with Great Britain's women's hockey team in Rio 2016 has now transitioned smoothly into broadcasting since hanging up her boots. Her portfolio includes Olympic Games, football, NFL and rugby commentary. Quek is quickly becoming one of the most popular names in sports broadcasting but she has had to put up with a fair bit of flak in her last major sports TV job. After presenting the Grand National on ITV earlier this year, Quek faced a backlash from racing fans - despite being an ardent racing enthusiast who has owned contenders at prestigious events like the Cheltenham Festival and the 1,000 Guineas. Responding to critics Confronting displeasure from certain quarters of the racing fanbase who felt her joining ITV Racing had "ruined" the Grand National and who debated her racing insight, Quek spoke to the Racing Post. In the face of criticism, she described the response as akin to "a bit like hysteria". Article continues below She noted positively: "In every sport I've worked in over the last 10 years, the reception I've been given has always felt quite welcoming. "So I was surprised by the reaction I got when it was announced I was joining the ITV Racing team for Aintree. I was actually disappointed. My experience of racing to that point had always been so positive, welcoming and inclusive. After the reaction to the ITV announcement, it feels like that has been flipped on its head." She added: "I started getting tagged on social media and things began to build up. People were asking, 'Why is a hockey player doing racing? What does she know about horses?' "Later in the day I saw someone joking that if I had gone and negotiated a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, some people would still have said, 'But why was she there?' I've even had people saying I'm not from Liverpool just because I now live on the Wirral. "I'm not there to replace AP McCoy, Ruby Walsh or Alice Plunkett. I'm there to do the crossover work and, to be honest, I think I'm perfect for that. I want to get across my passion for racing to people who might be watching the biggest race in the world for the first time." 'Jealous' partner Quek is married to husband Tom. Tom, the offspring of a wealthy entrepreneur, set out on his own successful business venture, Antona Student Properties, following a generous £1million boost from his father after finishing his studies. He's not only a savvy businessman but also graced television screens in Channel 4's Secret Millionaire. He and his partner are doting parents to two youngsters, four-year-old Molly and three-year-old Isaac. But their journey to parenthood was marred by profound sorrow before they were blessed with Molly. After enduring the anguish of a miscarriage at 10 weeks in January 2020, the Olympian chose to wait until she was six months pregnant before sharing the news of her pregnancy with Molly. Speaking candidly with OK! magazine during an intimate interview and photoshoot, Quek revealed their mixed emotions. "It's a strange one," she reflected. "Obviously it's the happiest moment of our lives so far, but what happened in January took a toll on both of us and we weren't able to speak about it properly." Their caution during the subsequent pregnancy was tinged with sadness, as Sam explained: "This second pregnancy I've stopped myself getting too excited, which is quite sad. But it made it easier to keep quiet because in the back of your head, you think, 'What if?'" Quek has spoken candidly about a frightening episode during her pregnancy with Isaac, which led to an emergency caesarean section mere days before her due date. Sharing the details with OK! magazine, the ex-hockey player remembered being startled by contractions and then finding she was bleeding. "I woke up and felt a bit of a twinge," Quek recounted. "Those twinges gradually grew stronger and stronger and turned into contractions. I'd been having recurring nightmares that if this birth went to a C-section, I was going to haemorrhage. I just felt like something was going to go wrong for this one, I don't know why. "Naturally, when you're pregnant and see blood, it's never a good sign," she continued. "The consultant said 'just to be safe, we're going to whisk you down for an emergency C-section. We don't want to take the chance that it could be anything sinister, so we would advise getting him out'". Having gone through surgery with husband Tom alongside her, Quek described the rush of feelings upon meeting her new arrival. "When his little face popped up over the curtain, it was the realisation that he'd finally got here, was safe and was going to join our family of three to make it four," she said with joy. Tom, whom Quek considers her "best mate and number one supporter", was acknowledged to have mixed emotions regarding her stint on Strictly Come Dancing, as she revealed he might feel "jealous" of her participation in the show. Nonetheless, Quek dismissed any concerns over the notorious Strictly curse, making it clear her husband's a great supporter of the dance show. "My husband is genuinely really excited for me because he knows how much I'm going to enjoy it," Quek expressed at the time. "And I think that's what's really special about our relationship. We are solid, and I can't wait to share this with him. "He might even be a bit jealous, if I know Tom. He would love to be out there doing it – we're always the couple at a wedding who are the last off the dance floor." Regarding the performance of sensual dance numbers, Quek confessed: "I'm not sexy. I can't do the sexy eyes, the body language. So I think that will be a challenge to tap into that side of me. Article continues below "If if I try to do it, I'll have to try not to laugh. I was on BBC Breakfast and was trying to show Naga Munchetty my sexy face and he [Tom] texted me, saying, 'Almost.'".
Daily Mirror
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Strictly Come Dancing star Sam Quek reveals 'tough' challenge she faced on BBC series
Although she is known for her sports career, Olympian Sam Quek has revealed that while on Strictly Come Dancing she discovered a lot about herself behind the scenes Soccer Aid's Sam Quek speaks about Strictly Olympian Sam Quek has opened up about the personal journey she endured during her time on Strictly Come Dancing. The star found fame playing hockey but last year, she challenged herself in new ways while appearing on the BBC dancing competition. Since retiring from professional sports, the 36-year-old has made a name for herself in the broadcasting industry and often appears on various shows – as well as turning her hand to reality telly, including ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! and BBC's Celebrity Masterchef. Growing up in a sports loving household with her brothers, Sam is no stranger to intense training which followed her through her Olympic career but while on Strictly, she admits she learnt a lot more about herself. "My Strictly experience was amazing, it was so hard – but in a good way," Sam exclusively told the Mirror. The Liverpudlian star went on to say: "It was one of the toughest but most rewarding and enjoyable challenges that I've ever done. But I did find out a lot about myself. "That competitive side that fighting spirit of me is still there, especially having kids, I think you can get quite stuck in the same routine, just wearing leggings and hoodies, so getting glammed back up, realising that I do still like getting my hair done, my make-up done it was such an amazing experience." Sam went on to joke: "I thought I could dance but it goes to show that maybe I need a few wines beforehand. It was such an amazing experience but I also realised I'm not very elegant and I'm probably more suited tt being out there for Soccer Aid, where you need pace, power, explosiveness. "Putting in big tackles, pushing people off the ball. But Strictly was fab and I definitely learnt a lot about myself." This year, Sam is returning to Soccer Aid for the second time and will be playing alongside Louis Walsh, Tom Grennan, Sir Mo Farah and Sam Thompson on the England team. "I can't wait for Soccer Aid this year," she excitedly revealed at Manchester's Hotel Football – overlooking the pitch at Old Trafford. She added: "Last year was my first year and I was blown away. I think now it's come up north, although I'm a Liverpool FC fan, and it's at Old Trafford, I still think it's going to be one of the most amazing experiences. I can't wait." Football is nothing new to Sam though. Before pursuing a career in hockey, she was signed to Tranmere Rovers F.C as a junior and at the age of 16, made a decision to put football on the back burner to focus on hockey. "Growing up, I didn't have many female sporting role models that I knew about or could see. She added: "I grew up wanting to be Steve McManaman, my twin brother was Robbie Fowler and we used to play football all the time in the garden. So to be going out there at Old Trafford, almost living out a childhood dream is amazing. Sam the footballer is definitely still alive." Although she was signed to Tranmere, Sam never got to play at Prenton Park "we didn't see any of that," she said. But heading out onto the pitch at Old Trafford, home to Manchester United, one of the world's biggest footballing clubs "besides Liverpool," is "just going to be a special moment," she gushed. Taking part in Soccer Aid is a cause close to Sam's heart. As a mum to daughter Molly, four, and son Isaac, three. "Soccer Aid for UNICEF is amazing for us to experience going out there to massive stadiums, playing with some of the worlds best footballers," she said. Sam continued: "Ultimately, underline it all – it's the money raised for UNICEF, I think being a mum, you want your child to thrive, to give them the best start, to be health and to be happy. I think if anything comes in the way of that then any help, any money, any vaccinations and any support that you can get is the greatest thing in the world. "To be out there playing is one thing, but to raise money, I think that's just so important." But while Sam is both excited and nervous for the match on June 15, she cannot wait to play alongside Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney – "it's proper bucket list stuff," she said.m "Scholsey is one of the best midfielders that England has ever had." "Rooney as well, one of the best strikers, I just can't wait," she exclaimed.
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Racing ‘more inclusive than football' for women despite abuse of Sam Quek over ITV role
Model turned broadcaster Natalie Pike is on a mission to knock down stereotypes as the face of VirginBet's championing of women in racing Horse racing is more inclusive than football for women despite the abuse experienced by former Olympian Sam Quek when she was hired by ITV Racing to cover the Grand National. Quek, 36, a member of the winning GB hockey team at the 2016 London Games, has successfully transitioned to a career in television, working as a BBC presenter at the Tokyo Olympics, while also covering football, NFL and rugby union and appeared on reality shows including Strictly Come Dancing and I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. She is also an enthusiastic horse racing fan who has owned horses that have run at the Cheltenham Festival and in the 1,000 Guineas. Yet reactions to her addition to the ITV Racing stable at Aintree included comments on X such as 'Grand National ruined', 'What knowledge or expertise does she bring to it?' Quek said she was 'surprised' and 'disappointed' by the comments. 'My experience of racing to that point had always been so positive, welcoming and inclusive. After the reaction to the ITV announcement, it feels like that has been flipped on its head,' she told the Racing Post. Quek's experience was tackled by Natalie Pike, a former model and award-winning broadcaster who for the last ten years she has been a regular presenter of Premier League champions Manchester City 's live match day coverage. She also works within horse racing as part of the RacedayTV team during the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National and as the host of VirginBet 'Women's Day' which celebrates the successes of women who work in the racing industry. Pike, who knows Quek, said: 'My role with RacedayTV and the work I do in racing with VirginBet is about promoting racing and there is still a stigma for some people who feel that racing is just a sport for rich people, not necessarily for the working class, that you can't come for a day unless you've got extensive knowledge. 'What I am keen to do and what VirginBet does so well is to knock down those stereotypes. I am passionate about saying racing is for everybody. 'So if Sam Quek likes racing then let Sam Quek like racing. If you like racing, we are going to let you like racing. You don't have to have come from a horsey background, you don't have to have a family that owned a horse to be able to enjoy racing in 2025. 'I think she was a great appointment by ITV and I'm sure she feels exactly like I do in terms of loving a day out at the races.' Pike hosted the third event in the series at Kempton on Monday where female racing professionals shared their experiences of working in the industry. 'We've had such varieties of jobs on the panels and the overarching message I've taken is that racing is really inclusive,' she said. 'There is always more we can do and everybody's message to young girls has been to go for it. To find a place in racing and enjoy what could be a very varied career. 'I've always found racing more welcoming and inclusive than football and still to this day. Since the day I started working for RacedayTV I have found it very welcoming. I've never felt anyone has questioned why I am there, which is not always the case in football.'
