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BBC Athletics star Jeanette Kwakye's very famous best friend and Hollywood connection

Jeanette Kwakye has been fronting the BBC's coverage of the European Athletics Championships

[Jeanette Kwakye]

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Jeanette Kwakye has been back on our screens this week(Image: BBC)

Popular presenter Jeanette Kwakye returned to screens this week.

Jeanette has been fronting the BBC's morning coverage of the European Athletics Championships, while Gabby Logan took control from 7pm onwards.

The hosts have been joined in the studio by Jessica Ennis-Hill, Greg Rutherford, and Jenny Meadows, with commentary coming from Steve Backley, Steve Cram, Paula Radcliffe, Andrew Cotter, Colin Jackson, and Molly Caudery.

There's been lots of excitement for Team GB fans in the Alexander Stadium this week. Amy Hunt won gold in the 100 and 200 metres, as well as Matthew Hudson-Smith and Romell Glave storming to victory in the men's 400 and 100 metre finals.

As Jeanette continues to delight BBC viewers every morning, here's everything you need to know about the star.

Jeanette Kwakye's career and famous best friend

[Jeanette Kwakye]

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Jeanette is a retired British athlete(Image: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Jeanette rose to fame in 2008 when she became the first British woman in 24 years to compete in an Olympic 100 metre final.

After the Olympics, Jeanette suffered from several injuries, which led to her missing the 2010 season. She returned to competition the following year and became the British 100 metre champion.

After retiring from competitive athletics in 2014, she successfully retrained as a journalist and has since become one of the UK's most respected broadcasting anchors.

Some fans may not know that Jeanette is very close friends with American Boy singer Estelle. The pop star's brother, Tyrone Swaray, was also a sprinter, with Estelle and Jeanette soon striking up a friendship.

Jeanette once revealed to the Daily Express that she listened to Estelle's music before she would race. Ahead of the Beijing Olympics, Estelle offered her support, saying: "Jeanette has perseverance, which is one of the things that it takes to be a winner. But whatever happens, I'm very proud of her."

Hollywood connection

[Lily James]

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Jeanette trained Hollywood star Lily James for a film(Image: Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)

As well as having famous friends, Jeanette also has an unexpected connection to Hollywood.

She was the lead trainer on the set of 2012 British film Fast Girls, training Hollywood star Lily James and Lenora Crichlow for their respective roles as athletes.

Speaking previously to Cosmopolitan, Lily opened up about the training process, saying: "It was very intense - we had about six weeks of training before the film even started.

"I trained with Olympic athlete Jeanette Kwakye - who is amazing! And Shani Anderson who is an excellent Olympic runner. We trained five times a week; running, circuits, weights, working out in the gym, and on the track. It was an insane time."

The European Athletics Championships are available to stream on BBC iPlayer

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