When Laura Woods made her long-awaited return to TNT Sports this spring, it felt like the missing piece of European football coverage had finally fallen back into place.
The familiar blonde broadcaster — who’s become the face of Champions League nights for millions — had been off-screen for 13 weeks, taking time out to welcome her first child with fiancé and former Love Island star, Adam Collard.
Fans had been quick to notice her absence when Europe’s biggest tournament kicked off earlier in the year.
With the likes of Reshmin Chowdhury and Matt Smith temporarily taking over her duties, many wondered when Woods — the two-time British Sports Journalism Awards Presenter of the Year — would make her return.
Now, she’s back, and so is the calm, confident energy she brings to the game.
A Career That Grew in Front of the Nation
At 38, Laura Woods has become one of Britain’s most recognizable sports broadcasters — but her story didn’t begin under the bright studio lights.
She studied print journalism at Kingston University, originally imagining a life in newspapers.
“I did a week of work experience at a paper and realized it wasn’t for me,” she once recalled. That realization turned out to be pivotal.
A switch to television changed everything. Her first taste of broadcast came with Soccer AM, where she interned at Sky Sports.
“As soon as I went into TV, it was like color — everything was exciting and new,” she said.
From that point, Woods climbed the ranks — from runner to producer — before stepping in front of the camera herself.
From TalkSport Mornings to TNT Evenings
Woods’ big break came at TalkSport, where her easy chemistry with Ally McCoist on the breakfast show helped her build a national fanbase.
She balanced that with various roles at Sky Sports, eventually working across darts, football, boxing, and the NFL.
Her versatility became her superpower — something she explained during a 2022 Happy Hour podcast appearance.
No matter the sport, she said, she made it her mission to learn it inside out. “Whatever I’m given, I make sure I know it,” she said confidently.
But after years of early mornings and packed schedules, Woods decided it was time for change.
In 2023, she left DAZN, ITV’s NFL show, and her beloved TalkSport seat.
Not long after, TNT Sports — freshly rebranding from BT — came calling.
When Jake Humphrey stepped down, Woods stepped up, signing a contract reportedly worth £1.35 million a year.
The Public Fascination with Her Love Life
If her professional journey made headlines, her personal life caused even more chatter.
When Laura Woods confirmed her relationship with Love Island’s Adam Collard in 2023, social media had questions.
Woods, admired as one of broadcasting’s most polished and grounded figures, had fallen for a man whose reputation was built on televised chaos and charm.
Their romance started casually — a DM reply on Instagram — but quickly grew serious.
Despite skepticism, the couple proved doubters wrong. By early 2025, they had welcomed their first child together.
Collard, now 29, even shared a heartfelt message from his hospital bed following back surgery, praising Woods for being his “rock” through a difficult recovery.
The Reality TV Past That Still Follows Adam Collard
Collard’s Love Island legacy is complicated. First entering the villa in 2018, he dated multiple contestants including Kendall-Rae Knight, Zara McDermott, and Rosie Williams.
His on-screen behavior with Williams drew criticism, with domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid warning viewers about “emotional abuse” patterns shown in his interactions.
Collard later said that what viewers saw was heavily edited and not reflective of the full conversations.
“I could’ve been more sensitive,” he admitted, “but it’s a bubble — a very different world.”
He returned to Love Island in 2022 for another chance at love, but fate had other plans.
The real connection came off-screen with Woods, and today, they share both a child and a quiet confidence that their relationship — despite the public noise — is the real deal.
Navigating Fame, Scrutiny, and Parenthood
Since becoming parents, Woods and Collard have shared glimpses of their lives online.
Her 740,000 Instagram followers often see behind-the-scenes moments — whether it’s football nights, family snapshots, or honest reflections on motherhood.
Still, their relationship hasn’t been free from backlash.
Recently, Woods faced criticism for expressing condolences after the death of political commentator Charlie Kirk, with some followers questioning her message on X (formerly Twitter).
Yet, much like in her career, Woods seems to take criticism with poise — moving forward without losing her focus.
The Face of Modern Football Broadcasting
Woods’ rise has been nothing short of remarkable. From her early days at Sky Sports to becoming TNT’s main anchor for European football, she’s built a reputation as both knowledgeable and refreshingly genuine.
Viewers love her easy humor, her warmth, and her ability to steer even the tensest match debates with grace.
As the Champions League resumes after the international break, expect to see a lot more of her — calm under pressure, effortlessly connecting fans to the sport they love.
For all the gossip surrounding her personal life, Laura Woods remains what she’s always been: a consummate professional, a trailblazer in sports media, and now, a new mum stepping confidently into the next chapter of her life.
What Comes Next for Laura Woods
With her TNT Sports deal secure and her public appeal only growing, the message is clear — Laura Woods isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Her mix of professionalism, warmth, and resilience continues to set her apart in a male-dominated industry.
If there’s one takeaway from her story, it’s that Woods has learned to balance the public spotlight and personal happiness with remarkable poise.
Whether she’s anchoring a Champions League night or navigating the chaos of new motherhood, she remains the golden girl of British sports broadcasting — and her story, much like her career, is still unfolding.