Ellie Costello has become one of the more familiar faces of British morning television, anchoring breakfast shows that blend hard news, live interviews, and human-interest features. Her rise to national attention is notable not just for her professional accomplishments, but also for the very public way she navigated a personal ordeal that illuminated the risks journalists face when their work makes them visible to millions. By examining her life and career, a picture emerges of a determined broadcaster whose trajectory reflects both the opportunities and the pressures of contemporary news media.
Early Life and Family
Ellie Costello was born in November 1993, according to Companies House records for Ellie Costello TV Limited, which list an Elisabeth Costello with that birth month and year. Public reporting places her family in London, where she grew up in an environment that combined a traditional upbringing with exposure to cultural and professional networks. While the full scope of her family background has not been widely reported, it is publicly noted that her relatives have professional connections in London, including the construction sector, which Costello has said shaped her early understanding of work ethic and responsibility.
Costello’s Irish heritage is referenced in interviews and professional biographies. She has described her family roots as a source of cultural connection and identity, which later influenced aspects of her wedding celebrations and personal life. Beyond this, she has maintained a clear boundary between private family matters and her public persona, emphasizing professional achievements rather than personal history in interviews and social media posts.
Education and First Ambitions
Costello attended the University of Southampton, where she completed a degree in English Literature. Her undergraduate studies provided a foundation in critical thinking, research, and communication skills that would serve her well in journalism. Following this, she pursued postgraduate training in broadcast journalism at City University in London, a path common for aspiring British journalists seeking practical experience and professional accreditation.
Her interest in reporting appears to have been shaped by a combination of academic curiosity and a desire to engage with public affairs. Early accounts of her work during postgraduate studies suggest a focus on media ethics, reporting on social issues, and understanding the mechanics of live news production. These experiences laid the groundwork for her initial professional steps in broadcasting.
Career Breakthrough
Costello’s early career included positions at the BBC, notably the BBC World Service and the Victoria Derbyshire programme. Her time at the BBC involved a mix of reporting and research, focusing on social issues, human-interest stories, and investigative segments. She earned recognition for her reporting style, which balanced factual rigour with a measured, empathetic approach. In 2020, her management profile cites her as a BBC “Rising Star,” a distinction highlighting her potential within broadcast journalism.
Her move to GB News in May 2021 marked a significant transition. Initially working as a South-East regional reporter, she contributed field reporting, live coverage of major events, and investigative pieces on topics ranging from legal proceedings to public policy. This early period at GB News provided exposure to live national broadcasting and positioned her for subsequent anchoring roles as the channel expanded its breakfast programming.
Rise at GB News Breakfast
By late 2024, Costello had become a regular presenter on GB News Breakfast. Programming announcements from the channel indicate that, from January 2025, she co-hosted the show five days a week: Monday to Wednesday with Eamonn Holmes and Thursday to Friday with Stephen Dixon. This schedule placed her at the centre of the channel’s morning content, requiring both live interviewing skills and the ability to manage breaking news. GB News Breakfast also earned recognition at the 56th TRIC Awards, securing Best News Show for three consecutive years, with Costello part of the presenting team, demonstrating the credibility and audience appeal she had accrued.
Her work encompasses royal events, court cases, political coverage, and public ceremonies. Notable assignments include reporting from Windsor during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, covering King Charles III’s coronation, and on-location reporting of high-profile legal trials. These assignments underscored her capacity to handle complex stories under pressure, a skill that became increasingly visible during live broadcasts.
The Stalking Case
Costello’s public profile was further heightened by a personal ordeal. In 2022, she revealed she had been stalked for 16 months by Leo Jones, a former cast member of the ITV reality show Airline, whom she had interviewed remotely. Reports from ITV News and GB News indicated that Jones sent unsolicited messages, appeared at filming locations, and confronted her during live coverage, including at Windsor during the Queen’s funeral. He pleaded guilty to causing serious alarm and distress and received a suspended jail sentence along with a five-year restraining order from St Albans Magistrates’ Court. Costello provided a victim impact statement during the court proceedings.
The case coincided with wider scrutiny of policing and protective measures for stalking victims in England and Wales. The National Stalking Consortium highlighted systemic issues, noting that only around 5% of stalking reports led to formal charges, a figure that sparked public discussion on the adequacy of law enforcement response. Costello’s openness about her experience illustrated the personal vulnerabilities journalists may face when covering high-visibility assignments, and her advocacy helped raise awareness about legal protections and support for victims.
Professional Style and Approach
Costello’s presenting style is defined by a balance of clarity, composure, and audience engagement. Her experience in field reporting equips her to handle live, unscripted moments with a calm professionalism that contrasts with more opinion-led elements of GB News programming. Interviews conducted on-air range from political figures to legal experts, and she frequently moderates conversations that require both factual accuracy and quick thinking under pressure.
Her approach also benefits from her early focus on human-interest reporting. Costello has shown an ability to connect with viewers on stories that involve personal impact or public service, a skill likely cultivated during her BBC tenure. This combination of live adaptability and audience relatability has helped establish her credibility within a channel that blends traditional reporting with live analysis and viewer interaction.
Personal Life and Marriage
Ellie Costello married Gerard Durkan in April 2025, with public reporting noting a civil ceremony at Chelsea Old Town Hall in London. Later celebrations included a South of France event attended by colleagues from GB News, and the couple incorporated aspects of their Irish heritage into the festivities. While Costello has shared details about her wedding publicly, she maintains a clear boundary around her private life, avoiding widespread disclosure of family details beyond her marriage.
Costello’s age, based on Companies House filings, places her birth in November 1993, making her 32 as of May 2026. These records, along with her professional achievements, present a clear timeline of her development from education through early BBC work to a prominent national broadcaster role.
Business and Professional Interests
Costello is listed as a director of Ellie Costello TV Limited, a company registered in England and Wales. While filings confirm her professional affiliation, they do not provide details of income or salary. Estimates of net worth found on various online profiles are not publicly verified and should be considered speculative. Costello’s primary income appears to derive from her work as a broadcaster and presenter, with potential supplementary income from public speaking or media appearances, although specific figures are not publicly documented.
Public Recognition and Awards
Beyond her TRIC Awards successes with GB News Breakfast, Costello’s work has been recognized internally within the industry through accolades such as the BBC Rising Star designation. These distinctions highlight her professional credibility and the respect she has earned among colleagues in news and broadcast media. Her profile continues to rise as she anchors morning programming that garners consistent viewership and industry attention.
Where Ellie Costello Is Now
As of mid-2026, Ellie Costello continues to anchor GB News Breakfast, appearing alongside Eamonn Holmes and Stephen Dixon on weekdays. Her role places her at the forefront of one of Britain’s most watched alternative news channels, where she manages live interviews, breaking news, and viewer engagement. The combination of field reporting experience, formal broadcast training, and on-air composure positions her as a prominent voice in contemporary morning news.
Her experience with public exposure, both professionally and personally, has informed a careful approach to privacy and professional conduct. Costello maintains social media presence via @elliecostelloTV, which serves as a professional communication channel rather than a personal diary. She has consistently emphasized reporting accuracy, live responsiveness, and respectful engagement with sources and viewers.
Her trajectory illustrates the challenges and opportunities of modern broadcast journalism. Anchoring a high-profile morning programme requires stamina, adaptability, and credibility, all of which Costello has demonstrated across diverse assignments. She continues to balance public visibility with personal discretion, creating a professional profile that commands both audience trust and industry recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ellie Costello?
Ellie Costello is a British journalist and television presenter known primarily for her role as a breakfast anchor on GB News. She previously worked at the BBC World Service and the Victoria Derbyshire programme and has covered high-profile news, court, and royal stories.
What did Ellie Costello study?
Costello earned an English Literature degree at the University of Southampton before completing postgraduate broadcast journalism training at City University in London. This education formed the foundation for her journalistic career.
How did Ellie Costello rise to prominence?
Costello’s rise followed a trajectory from BBC field reporting to live television anchoring at GB News. Her consistent presence on breakfast programmes and coverage of major national events has made her a recognizable figure in British broadcast media.
Is Ellie Costello married?
Yes, she married Gerard Durkan in April 2025. The couple celebrated both a civil ceremony in London and later a South of France event, incorporating elements of their Irish heritage.
What was the stalking case involving Ellie Costello?
Between 2021 and 2022, Costello was stalked by Leo Jones, a former ITV reality show participant. The case concluded with a five-year restraining order and a suspended jail sentence for Jones, and Costello spoke publicly about her experiences to raise awareness about stalking and victim protection.
What awards has Ellie Costello won?
She has been part of GB News Breakfast’s three consecutive TRIC Award wins for Best News Show, and was recognized by the BBC as a Rising Star in 2020. These accolades reflect both audience and industry recognition.
Where can viewers watch Ellie Costello?
She currently appears on GB News Breakfast, co-hosting with Eamonn Holmes from Monday to Wednesday and Stephen Dixon from Thursday to Friday. The programme is available on GB News and streaming platforms associated with the channel.
Conclusion
Ellie Costello’s career offers a portrait of a journalist navigating the demands of live television while maintaining professional integrity and personal boundaries. Her path from university to the BBC, and then into a central anchoring role at GB News, demonstrates a commitment to reporting, audience engagement, and professional growth.
Her public and personal experiences, including the stalking case, have underscored the risks journalists face and the importance of safety and support structures. Costello’s measured approach to sharing her story balances transparency with personal privacy, creating a model for emerging broadcasters.
In terms of her professional influence, Costello’s steady presence on breakfast television has contributed to the channel’s credibility and consistency. She continues to develop her role as a reliable presenter capable of covering breaking news, live interviews, and national events with authority and calm.
As British broadcast journalism evolves, Ellie Costello stands as a figure representing both the responsibilities and possibilities inherent in the role of a visible, trusted news anchor. Her trajectory remains one to watch for those following careers in television news and for audiences seeking familiar yet capable anchors to guide them through the morning news cycle.
