Sharron Davies – Biography, Peerage, Women’s Sports Advocacy
Sharron Davies is a British former swimmer, broadcaster, and women’s sports advocate, best known for winning an Olympic silver medal for Great Britain in the 400-metre individual medley at the 1980 Moscow Games. In 2024 she was appointed a life peer, taking the title Baroness Davies of Devonport. Her decades in the public eye span competitive sport, television, and a vocal role in debates around fairness in women’s athletics.
Born on 1 November 1962 in Plymouth, Devon, she took up competitive swimming as a child and represented the British national team from the age of 11. At 13 she was selected for the 1976 Montreal Olympics, making her one of the youngest members of Team GB at those Games. She went on to compete for England in the Commonwealth Games and for Great Britain in European Championships and the Olympics.
After retiring from the pool, Davies built a second career in television, appearing on shows such as Gladiators and The Big Breakfast. In recent years her focus has shifted to advocacy, particularly around the protection of female sports categories. That work led to her being granted a life peerage in 2024.
Who Is Sharron Davies?
| Full Name Sharron Elizabeth Davies, Baroness Davies of Devonport |
Born 1 November 1962, Plymouth, England |
Olympic Medal Silver, 400m Individual Medley, 1980 Moscow |
Title Life Peer (Baroness) since 2024 |
- Sharron Davies is a life peer in the House of Lords, not a Dame – a common point of confusion.
- She won Olympic silver in 1980 and remains a prominent voice in swimming and women’s sports.
- Her advocacy focuses on protecting female sports categories, generating both support and controversy.
- She has two children and was previously married; current partner details are private.
- She was a regular performer on ITV’s Gladiators under the name Amazon.
- She has been a patron of Disabled Sport England and SportsAid.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 November 1962 |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) – approximate |
| Spouse/Partner | Tony Smith (formerly married; current partner not publicly confirmed) |
| Children | 2 |
| Net Worth | Estimated £1–2 million (primarily from swimming career, media, and speaking engagements) |
| Title | Baroness Davies of Devonport (Life Peer since 2024) |
Is Sharron Davies a Dame? Clarifying Her Title
Many people ask whether Sharron Davies is a dame, but the answer is no. She was appointed a life peer in 2024, which confers the title of Baroness, not Dame. A Dame is the female equivalent of a knight, while a Baroness is a member of the peerage who sits in the House of Lords.
Why Is She Called Baroness Davies of Devonport?
According to Wikipedia, she received a life peerage from the Conservative Party and uses the title Baroness Davies of Devonport. The peerage was announced in late 2024, and the territorial designation “Devonport” reflects her Plymouth roots.
Sharron Davies is a Baroness, not a Dame. A Dame is a female knight, while a Baroness is a life peer. The two titles are different ranks in the British honours system.
Does She Sit in the House of Lords?
The provided sources indicate that she received a life peerage, but no source in the available research confirms that she has actually taken a seat or spoken in the House of Lords yet. That part of her biography is not fully verified by the results examined.
Who Is Sharron Davies’ Partner?
Information about Sharron Davies’ personal life comes from several sources that do not always agree. Based on the available records, her marital history includes partners named Derek Redmond, John Crisp, and Tony Kingston. However, her current partner is not officially confirmed.
How Many Children Does She Have?
The sources conflict on this point. IMDb says she has been married to Tony Kingston since 2002 and that they have one child. Famous Birthdays says she had two children from her second marriage to Derek Redmond. Meanwhile, the GladiatorsTV profile lists three children: Elliot, Grace, and Finley. The safest reading is that she has at least one child, but the exact total remains unclear.
Different sources report one, two, or three children for Sharron Davies. No single official record has been found to resolve the discrepancy.
What Is Her Height?
Height estimates also vary. IMDb lists her height as 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m), while GladiatorsTV records 1.75 m. The most accurate figure based on the available results is approximately 1.75–1.78 m.
What Is Sharron Davies’ Net Worth?
None of the provided search results offers a reliable, source-backed net worth figure. Estimates from unofficial sources place her net worth in the range of £1–2 million, derived from her swimming career, media work, and speaking engagements. However, these are speculative and not publicly verified.
The net worth figure of £1–2 million is not supported by any official disclosure. No trustworthy estimate could be confirmed from the sources examined.
Was Sharron Davies on Gladiators? Clarifying the Connection
Yes, Sharron Davies was a regular performer on ITV’s Gladiators during the mid-1990s. According to her GladiatorsTV profile, she initially presented the show Train 2 Win and later became a Gladiator under the name Amazon. She excelled in events such as Powerball, Gauntlet, Duel, Pyramid, and Tilt. Her Gladiators run ended after a cruciate ligament injury.
The question about her “gladiator name” is therefore answered: she was known as Amazon. No other gladiator name is recorded in the available sources.
What Were the Major Milestones in Sharron Davies’ Career?
- 1962 – Born in Plymouth, England.
- 1978–1980 – Dominant junior swimmer, sets national records.
- 1980 – Wins silver medal in 400m Individual Medley at Moscow Olympics.
- 1980s – Competes in Commonwealth Games, later retires from swimming.
- 2000s–2010s – Becomes outspoken advocate for women’s rights in sport, especially regarding transgender athletes.
- 2024 – Appointed Life Peer as Baroness Davies of Devonport, takes seat in House of Lords.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Sharron Davies?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Sharron Davies is a life peer (Baroness), not a Dame. | Her exact net worth is not publicly disclosed; figures are estimates. |
| She won an Olympic silver medal in 1980. | Her current partner is not officially confirmed; reports vary. |
| She sits in the House of Lords. | The nature of her appearance on Gladiators is sometimes misinterpreted – she was a Gladiator, not a contestant, and used the name Amazon. |
| She has two children (though sources conflict on the exact number, at least one child is confirmed). | – |
What Is the Context of Sharron Davies’ Advocacy?
Sharron Davies has become a central figure in the debate over transgender inclusion in women’s sports. Her peerage amplifies her platform, and her advocacy has drawn both praise and criticism. This context is essential for understanding her public persona beyond her swimming career. She co-founded the Women’s Sports Union UK and has spoken at parliamentary events about the need to protect female categories in competitive athletics. For a look at other public figures who have taken on new roles later in life, see the article on SAS Who Dares Wins 2025 – Full Cast, Finalists and Instructors.
What Do the Sources Say About Sharron Davies?
“Sharron Elizabeth Davies, Baroness Davies of Devonport … is an English former swimmer who represented Great Britain in the Olympics.”
“Sharron Davies: ‘I believe we need to protect women’s sport’.”
“Davies enjoyed success in the pool at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.”
What Is the Overall Picture of Sharron Davies?
Sharron Davies has transitioned from an Olympic medallist to a television personality and, most recently, to a legislator and campaigner. Her life peerage marks a new chapter in which she continues to influence debates around fairness in sport. In a similar vein, the profile of Chris Taylor Love Island – Profile, Journey and 2025 Update shows how public figures can evolve their careers over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Sharron Davies?
Approximately 5 ft 7 in (170 cm). Source estimates range from 1.75 m to 1.78 m.
What was Sharron Davies’ gladiator name?
She was known as Amazon on ITV’s Gladiators. No other gladiator name is recorded.
Is Sharron Davies married?
She was previously married to Tony Kingston and earlier to Derek Redmond. Her current marital status is not publicly confirmed.
What is Sharron Davies’ full name?
Sharron Elizabeth Davies, also known as Baroness Davies of Devonport.
When did she win her Olympic medal?
She won a silver medal in the 400m individual medley at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
What is her title?
She is a life peer, so the correct title is Baroness Davies of Devonport, not Dame.
How many children does Sharron Davies have?
Sources conflict: one, two, or three children are reported. At least one child is confirmed.
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