Francesca Oliver, with her distinct vocals, enthusiasm and range of colourful bow ties, is one of the British wrestling scene’s most prominent ring announcers—a staple of Revolution Pro Wrestling, RevPro since 2021. Francesca has also ring announced for many other promotions, including EVW, New Wave Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Chaos and NWE. Francesca has collaborated with CMLL, and in 2024, she became the first-ever female announcer to host an NJPW event (Royal Quest IV). Most recently, in December 2025, she collaborated with AEW, ring announcing for ROH’s Global Wars United Kingdom in Cardiff.
Thank you, Francesca, for taking the time to conduct this interview.
You can follow Francesca Oliver on Instagram at: @this.is_francesca and X at: @fran3sca_mc
How Did You Get Into the Business? Was Ring Announcing Always the Goal?
No, ring announcing wasn’t always the goal. I got back into watching wrestling, watching WrestleMania 31, and I just got sucked back into it like I was a teenager. Watching it religiously, I thought, “I have a history of performing. I love wrestling; it makes sense to get involved.” So, I got in contact with Gloucester Wrestling in 2016.
I was looking to be like a Renee (Paquette) figure, backstage role. I went along to their show, met everybody and then, unfortunately, that ended up being their last ever show. But because I had already started networking, I ended up attending on a “Hooked On” event Gillian Gordon was hosting in Cardiff in 2017. A few weeks later, I saw that Pro EVO (now EVW) were looking for an announcer. I was like, “Mmm, I feel like I could do that.” I went and did it. Then I was asked to do every single one from then on. I saw the opportunity. I thought, why not, and here we are! It was a good move. I found the one thing in my life that I love so much!
You Have a Background in Performing Arts and Have Worked in the Entertainment Industry. How Did These Skills Impact Your Transition to Announcing?
100%, they were a foundation. I have always done dance and drama since I was three years old, which brought me confidence. I studied Performing Arts and then worked at Haven Holidays as entertainment staff. So that is really where I learned mic skills and more. Even at college, I would host shows, but there it became more of a job. Everything since then has all been connected. Also, it got me to a level where I walked into wrestling the people told me I was good. That’s all you need, really. If people appreciate what you are doing, you are doing something right!
Your Speaking Voice Differs From Your Announcer’s Voice. How Did You Develop Your Style of Announcing?
You know, it just kind of happened. So, as far as my mic voice, it’s what I developed over the years in the other industries. But the actual announcing, I would say, was almost mimicry. I watched it and was like, ” This is what I got to do”. Then that’s what came out.
Given How You Are Constantly Using Your Vocal Cords, Besides Drinking Lots of Water, How Do You Both Protect Your Voice While Maintaining Your Performance? Do You Have to Pace Yourself?
So yeah, a lot of water. I try to do a lot of vocal warmups before the show, but sometimes time runs away from me. What helps is if a heel is out first, I like to make my voice gravelly to portray that, which will help with my vocal warm-up. Days leading up to shows, I avoid dairy because it creates mucus on your vocal cords, which is so difficult because chocolate is my main diet! But otherwise, I am sure you probably notice I go all out every time. I get asked regularly how do you do this? I’m just grateful that I have that ability because it’s obviously an uncommon thing.
What Is the Atmosphere Like at Ringside as a Ring Announcer? Do You Find You Have to Separate Yourself as a Fan From Your Role?
I have always watched as a fan. I remember a few people saying to me that they have never noticed a ring announcer watching it like a fan, but if I am there ringside and it’s happening in front of me, how can I not? I couldn’t be there, be in the moment and almost switch off and pretend it’s not happening. The wrestlers are incredible athletes, and they put so much into what they do. How would I not enjoy that? I do get distracted easily, which sometimes is not great. There was one time with EVW where someone next to me was talking away, and I’m trying to watch. The next thing I hear is “1, 2, 3”. I said, “Ring the bell”. But when I looked at the ring, the ref was knocked out. It was a fan who had counted the pinfall! I was like, “Oh no!”
What Are the Biggest Dangers of Being at Ringside?
Several times, when I have been ringside, I have been the first to get up and move out of the way. When we were in York Hall, some fans might remember that with the lighting rig, I would stand up and then hide behind it. No one could get me here. But yesterday, Sha (Samuels), he didn’t mean to, he stood on my foot as he was walking away! So, there are always hazards to the job. There are always times wrestlers take offence to you, like the CTC, so you are not far out of the drama.
What Was the Most Intimidating Part About Announcing When You First Started?
Still now, just getting it right because I am my own worst critic. Andy Quildan (RevPro promoter) would agree that I ask stupid questions, but I ask stupid questions, so I don’t make stupid mistakes. Which I have done a few of those in my time as well. Just wanting to get it right and provide the experience that it is meant to. Now I would say Mercedes Mone’s titles, that’s what probably gives me the most anxiety. Last year, (RevPro’s) High Stakes, I found out just before the show that I was going to list her titles. I panicked then because “I’m out of my comfort zone.” Suddenly, it was a goal. “Right, we are doing every single championship”. Thankfully, I did not miss one out!
Over Time, Have Those Aspects Become More Manageable?
Which is why I ask stupid questions because I know I know, Andy would agree I know, but then there’s this little voice in my head that goes “but do you?” So, I always go to him and “just checking this”. So that is a major anxiety, because I want to be good at my job.
How Important Is Feedback From Promoters And/or Wrestlers in Impacting Your Announcing, Especially When You Work for Different Companies?
I welcome it. Sometimes it’s nice to hear “yeah, it’s great, well done”, but especially now, because going and doing Ring of Honour, it was out of my comfort zone. I’ve been so used to doing RevPro and doing a choice few local promotions, I kind of realised that I have been stuck in that bubble too long. So, since then, I’ve taken other bookings from other promotions because the only way I am going to be better is by pushing myself out there and working with different audiences and different styles of shows. When I’m at RevPro, it’s very much TV style. We get straight into it because that’s the way I’ve always been as an announcer. It’s not about me; it’s about making the wrestlers sound good and get the crowd excited. But if a promoter wants something different, no problem, I have to be adaptable.”
What Is One Piece of Advice You Could Give to Anyone Aspiring to Become a Ring Announcer?
Just get involved. Just find a local promotion, get in touch, and start helping out. Start working on your craft, whether it is ring announcing or backstage interviews, refereeing, or wrestling itself. Just get involved in your local promotion because if I hadn’t done that, I would not be where I am today. It’s only because I got in contact, I started networking, and it was just a pure accident that someone had recommended to Andy Quildan that I got to RevPro, so I am so grateful for that. Then, because of that, every opportunity since has happened. Wrestling is one of the few industries left that you can work your way to the top in by starting at the bottom.
