His name was a brand for decades: Potofski. It sounded like authentic Ruhr region, like wearing your heart on your sleeve and a mine full of emotions. Then Ulli Potofski (1952-2025) died one year ago. And not only the media world became a whole lot poorer. Looking back highlights the eloquent entertainer whom star presenter Esther Sedlaczek (40) calls the 'most important man in my career'. The retrospective honors the sensitive adoptive father, children's book author, former puppeteer and pop singer. And it remembers the courageous man who almost asked Lady Di to dance and embarked on his final journey between two podcasts.
'Heart Soul Ball' until the end
It's typically Potofski: Shortly before his death, he records episode 2174 of his daily podcast 'Heart Soul Ball' from his hospital bed. It's not about him, his leukemia or his possible end of life. With soft stubble on his face and a somewhat thinner voice than usual, the self-proclaimed 'sick chicken' talks about the approaching second division season opener of his beloved club Schalke 04. He doesn't live to see their triumphant season.
Goosebumps arise when he offers condolences to the relatives of Laura Dahlmeier (1993-2025), who had recently died in a mountain accident. He philosophizes about why people embark on such dangerous mountain hikes: 'I believe it's the infinite view of things from up there.' Shortly thereafter, he dies, surprising many despite the severity of his illness. Potofski is said to have hoped for a bone marrow donation until his death, according to "Spiegel".
Narrative talent of the puppeteer
Ulrich Potofski grows up from 1952 in a genuine mining family in Gelsenkirchen. That remains his perspective on life forever. With a slight Ruhr accent, he speaks from the heart of those for whom sometimes only a game or an entertainment show remains as a distraction from everyday life. After graduating from secondary school, in 1969 he releases the pop single 'I Can't Walk Past Any Girl' under the pseudonym 'Ulli Mario'.
Entertainment is his métier altogether. He earns extra money not only as a DJ but also as a puppeteer. His narrative talent will later prove valuable as a radio and TV presenter and as a children's book author. The main character of his books is 'Locke', a young aspiring player from the Ruhr region.
Long 'Let's Dance' journey against Llambi's wishes
In 1979, Schalke fan Potofski fulfills his biggest dream: He becomes a sports reporter for WDR. 'We're switching to Ulli Potofski...' is heard for eight years in the legendary ARD Bundesliga conference on Saturday afternoons. When RTL plus enters Bundesliga coverage in 1984 with 'Kickoff', Potofski is right at the forefront as RTL sports director. In the 1990s, he also does well in RTL entertainment television. He hosts numerous TV formats such as 'A Day Like No Other' or 'Domino Day'.
In 2016, he briefly switches sides. As a contestant alongside professional dancer Kathrin Menzinger (37), he ventures onto the slippery dance floor of the ninth season of 'Let's Dance'. Potofski appears somewhat awkward and is eliminated after the first show. As a replacement for an injured competitor, he never gives up, wins the hearts of fans and finally dances his way to show nine - despite constant criticism from dance judge Joachim Llambi (62).
Dance bet involving Lady Di
Decades earlier, Potofski is still more flexible and ready for anything. He commentates on the tennis tournament at Wimbledon. There he witnesses firsthand how Boris Becker (58) and Steffi Graf (57) win the tournament on the same day due to the constant English rain and schedule changes. At the gala dinner in the evening, he senses his big chance to crown the tournament for himself.
The party is getting late when the Gelsenkirchen boy makes a bet with colleagues: 'Bet I'm brave enough to ask Lady Diana, who's present, to dance.' Determined, Potofski stands up and moves toward the legendary Crown Princess of the United Kingdom. Before he can ask her to dance, he's surrounded by three royal security officers. At the last moment, he prefers to avoid the dance with Diana. He loses the bet and is richer by one unique anecdote.
'I miss you, my TV dad'
No doubt: Ulli Potofski is a family man throughout his life. With his first wife, he raises two adopted children, both now adults. His partner Nadja stands by his side in the ten years until his death, as he posts on Instagram on July 6, 2025.
His second family is the 'Who's Who' of German sports journalism. Soccer commentator Markus Höhner (61) refers to himself in a greeting message shortly before Potofski's death as 'Ulli's commentator protégé'. A special relationship exists between Potofski and ARD presenter Esther Sedlaczek. Starting in 2011, he hosts the Saturday Bundesliga preview show 'My Stadium' with her on Sky. Potofski becomes the 'most important man' in her career. During the funeral ceremony in the Schalke arena, she addresses her mentor one last time: 'You will always have a special place in my heart. I miss you, my TV dad.'
'We hear his voice'
Potofski's third and lifelong family is FC Schalke 04, the Gelsenkirchen club of his hometown. His heart beats for them from birth. Its former supervisory board chairman Clemens Tönnies (70) honors him in the end as a 'good friend': 'Ulli's body has left us, but we hear his voice.'
The second division season, before whose start Potofski dies, ends with his beloved club's promotion to the first Bundesliga. Finally, royal blue jerseys in first division stadiums again - and Potofski can no longer experience it. Or can he? The cult presenter is buried in a white-blue urn on the Schalke fan field within sight of the Schalke stadium. Perhaps he saw his Schalke's promotion. Just from the place where no camera can accompany him anymore.
