BBC One is set to host the heartwarming charity event Children in Need tonight, anticipated to be enriched with sketches and stellar performances from some of the nation’s favourite celebrities. Steering the show this year is the accomplished Adedoyin Olayiwola, more widely recognised as Ade Adepitan.
Adepitan’s inspiring story began in Maryland, Nigeria, where he was born and unfortunately contracted polio as a child, resulting in him using a wheelchair due to leg damage. At the young age of three, he migrated to the UK, taking his first steps, figuratively speaking, in East London.
He would go on to compete in the 2004 Summer Paralympics for wheelchair basketball but also discovered a knack for performing, featuring in TV series such as Casualty and Desperados. Throughout the 2000s, Adepitan transitioned into broadcasting, predominantly within the realm of sports presenting.
In a romantic twist, August 2018 saw him tie the knot with singer Linda Harrison, known on stage as Elle Exxe, within the grandeur of St Paul’s Cathedral. He once shared details about their consequential age difference; she was 19 when they initially crossed paths and he reflected on the moment candidly.
In a chat with The Times, Adepitan recounted: “I first met Linda at the National TV Awards at the O2. I spotted her in the corner of the room – she had this amazing smile and a beautiful aura, so I made a beeline.”
Adepitan continued, noting his early attempts to win her over: “I tried to make her laugh, but I wasn’t sure if she was interested in me or not. We kept in touch and a month later met up for dinner in Guildford, where she was at college.”
His punctuality wasn’t perfect during their first date as he arrived 45 minutes late. Fortunately, Harrison waited, and he was instantly charmed by her combination of cuteness and coolness.
He humorously recounted their early dates, saying: “Flippin’ heck! She smashed through all the food. Boom! Bang! We went for a drink and when we left the bar, we spotted a hill, so she sat on my lap and held onto me as we rolled down it.”
“My heart was fluttering. We kissed on our second date, but we didn’t get serious until after nine months. It was nothing to do with age – she was 19, I was 36 – as we knew we liked each other.”
“But she was under huge pressure studying for a degree in music and didn’t want a serious relationship.”
Ade revealed there was a point when he grew tired of waiting and suggested they might be better off ending things.
This move, however, made Linda realise how much she truly valued their relationship.
The couple welcomed a son in January 2021, and Ade took to X, previously known as Twitter, to announce the joyous event.
His message read: “I’m still buzzing! Because at 6:36am this morning I became a father for the first time.”
“So much respect for my wife @ElleExxe she absolutely smashed it, and now we have a beautiful baby boy! #newborn”.
Children in Need airs on BBC One on Friday at 7pm