Ellie Costello is the voice that greets many early risers across the United Kingdom, a figure whose presence on breakfast television blends the immediacy of live news with a human touch. On any given weekday, she can be seen moving seamlessly between a political interview with a minister, the breaking news of a court verdict, and lighter segments that aim to connect with viewers at the start of their day. This balance of professionalism and approachability has made her one of the most recognizable faces of GB News Breakfast and a subject of curiosity for those wondering about the person behind the presenter.
Her visibility is not merely a product of television hours; it is the result of a steady climb through British journalism. From early reporting at the BBC World Service to the Victoria Derbyshire programme, and finally to her anchor role at GB News, Costello’s career has been marked by both a commitment to reporting and a careful cultivation of her on-screen persona. Alongside her professional achievements, her personal story—including a well-documented stalking case and her marriage to Gerard Durkan—has intersected with public interest, further shaping how she is viewed by audiences and colleagues alike.
Early Life and Family
Ellie Costello was born Elisabeth Costello in November 1993, according to UK Companies House records. Publicly available details about her childhood are sparse, reflecting her preference for privacy regarding family life. Her management biography notes that she is of Irish descent and that her family has professional ties to the construction industry in London. While her cultural background occasionally informs aspects of her personal life, such as her later wedding celebrations, she has kept the specifics of her family largely out of the public eye.
Growing up in the United Kingdom, Costello developed an early interest in media and communication. Although the finer details of her schooling are not widely reported, her academic trajectory points to a combination of literary and journalistic preparation. This foundation laid the groundwork for her eventual focus on investigative reporting and broadcasting.
Education and First Ambitions
Costello pursued an undergraduate degree in English Literature at the University of Southampton. This choice provided her with a strong command of language, analysis, and narrative structure—skills that would later prove invaluable in journalism. She followed this with a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from City University in London, equipping her with practical expertise in reporting, live interviewing, and production. The combination of literary study and hands-on training positioned her well for a career in media that would demand both analytical precision and live presentation skills.
Her ambitions from this period indicate a desire to work in both reporting and presentation. Early on, she gravitated toward stories that explored real human experiences, from social issues to political coverage. This focus would become a defining characteristic of her professional identity.
Career Breakthrough at the BBC
Costello’s professional journey began at the BBC World Service, where she gained experience covering global events and honing her reporting skills. She then moved to the Victoria Derbyshire programme, a BBC current-affairs show that tackles social issues, human interest stories, and in-depth investigations. On this platform, Costello developed a reputation for clear, precise reporting and an ability to navigate complex stories, ranging from social justice matters to consumer investigations.
During her time at Victoria Derbyshire, she contributed to several widely noted investigations, including reporting on online harassment and influencer exploitation. While these segments were often widely viewed, her work maintained a focus on evidence-based reporting, setting her apart from more sensationalized coverage. This period provided the foundation for the credibility and composure she would later bring to live national television.
Transition to GB News
Ellie Costello joined GB News in May 2021 as the channel prepared to launch its national broadcast. Initially hired as a South-East reporter, she was tasked with regional reporting that combined local insight with national relevance. This period allowed her to cover court proceedings, political events, and human-interest stories, giving her exposure to a variety of formats and situations.
Her transition from reporter to anchor coincided with GB News’s early efforts to establish a distinct identity in the UK media landscape. The channel sought presenters capable of navigating both hard news and conversational segments, and Costello’s experience made her a natural fit. Her credibility as a trained journalist from BBC reporting combined with her composure on camera helped accelerate her rise to a regular weekday breakfast anchor position.
Anchoring GB News Breakfast
By December 2024, Costello had become a core member of the GB News Breakfast team. She co-hosts weekday broadcasts alongside Eamonn Holmes on Monday through Wednesday and Stephen Dixon on Thursday and Friday, with weekend shifts including collaboration with Anne Diamond and other team members. This schedule places her at the forefront of the channel’s most viewed segment, a role that requires stamina, quick thinking, and a deft ability to switch between topics—from parliamentary debates to breaking legal news to lighter lifestyle segments. (radiotoday.co.uk)
Her anchor role has been publicly acknowledged with awards. GB News Breakfast won the Best News Show category at the TRIC Awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025, a recognition driven by viewer votes. Costello, alongside her co-presenters, has been praised for her warmth, insight, and connection with viewers, illustrating the blend of journalistic skill and audience rapport that defines her current profile. (gbnews.com)
Reporting Style and Public Persona
Costello’s on-air style is direct and composed, balancing the rigors of live news with an accessible presence. She frequently interviews ministers, MPs, and public figures, navigating challenging questions with clarity and calm. Her approach reflects both her field experience and her training in investigative reporting, making her a credible interlocutor for both political guests and the viewing public.
Beyond the studio, she is known for advocating responsible journalism. Interviews, live interactions, and reporting segments often include verification of facts and clear communication for viewers. This professionalism has helped her maintain respect within an industry where visibility can sometimes overshadow substance.
Personal Life and Marriage
Ellie Costello married Gerard Durkan on 12 April 2025 in a ceremony at Chelsea Old Town Hall in London. Press photographs captured the couple leaving the building amid friends and family, and media coverage noted that Costello wore a white mini dress complemented by a beaded headband. The couple had been together for seven years, having met at university, and announced their engagement on social media in November 2023. (standard.co.uk)
Later in 2025, the couple celebrated a second wedding ceremony in Provence, France, at Château de Robernier. This event emphasized their Irish heritage, incorporating cultural music and traditions into the celebration. Costello described the French ceremony as their “real wedding,” honoring both familial ties and cultural identity. (evoke.ie)
The Stalking Case and Public Advocacy
In 2022, Costello publicly shared her experience of being stalked over a period of sixteen months. ITV News reported that the perpetrator was sentenced and given a five-year restraining order. Costello read a victim impact statement from behind a court curtain, describing the psychological toll the stalking had on her personal and professional life. (itv.com)
Her case coincided with a broader national debate about police response to stalking. The Suzy Lamplugh Trust submitted a super-complaint on behalf of the National Stalking Consortium in November 2022, resulting in a joint investigation by HMICFRS, the College of Policing, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The investigation, published in September 2024, issued 29 recommendations aimed at improving police practices, victim support, and legal clarity. Costello’s openness about her experience has highlighted risks faced by public figures and the ongoing need for systemic improvements in stalking responses. (policeconduct.gov.uk)
Business Interests and Professional Ventures
Ellie Costello is listed as director and secretary of Ellie Costello TV Limited, a company dissolved in 2023. Public filings provide confirmation of corporate association, appointment dates, and her birth month of November 1993, aligning with other public records regarding her age. These filings, however, do not offer insight into her personal finances, salary, or net worth, which remain undisclosed. (find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk)
Her professional representation through agencies underscores a focus on credible journalistic work, keynote speaking, and media consultancy. These engagements complement her on-screen career but are secondary to her role as a broadcast journalist.
Awards and Industry Recognition
Costello’s work on GB News Breakfast has contributed to multiple viewer-driven accolades. The show’s wins at the TRIC Awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025, including categories such as Best News Show and Multichannel News Programme, underscore her participation in content that resonates with audiences. While these awards reflect public support rather than formal peer-reviewed recognition, they highlight the channel’s ability to capture a regular morning audience and the central role she plays within that effort. (gbnews.com)
Where Ellie Costello Is Now
As of 2026, Ellie Costello continues to co-host GB News Breakfast on weekdays. She anchors alongside Eamonn Holmes from Monday to Wednesday and Stephen Dixon from Thursday to Friday, while participating in weekend shows with other team members. Her professional profile emphasizes live reporting, political interviews, and viewer engagement, and she remains a significant public face for the channel’s early-morning audience. (gbnews.com)
Her personal life, while largely private, continues to attract public interest due to her previous reporting on stalking and her widely covered marriage. Costello has maintained a careful balance between accessibility to viewers and safeguarding her private life, an approach that has earned her respect in journalism circles and among audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ellie Costello?
Ellie Costello is a British journalist and television presenter best known for co-hosting GB News Breakfast. She previously worked at the BBC World Service and the Victoria Derbyshire programme before joining GB News in 2021.
How old is Ellie Costello?
Based on Companies House records and reporting from The Standard, Costello was born in November 1993, placing her in her early thirties as of 2026.
Is Ellie Costello married?
Yes. Ellie Costello married Gerard Durkan in April 2025 at Chelsea Old Town Hall in London and later celebrated a second ceremony in Provence, France, honoring their Irish heritage.
What did Ellie Costello do before GB News?
Costello’s journalism career began at the BBC World Service, followed by reporting on the Victoria Derbyshire programme. She focused on investigative and human-interest stories before transitioning to GB News.
What happened in Ellie Costello’s stalking case?
Costello experienced stalking over sixteen months, leading to a court case where the perpetrator received a five-year restraining order. She read a victim impact statement and publicly discussed the case to raise awareness of stalking risks for journalists.
Does Ellie Costello still present on GB News?
Yes. As of 2026, she anchors GB News Breakfast weekdays with Eamonn Holmes and Stephen Dixon, covering political interviews, live news, and viewer-facing segments.
What is Ellie Costello’s net worth?
There is no publicly confirmed net worth. Corporate filings confirm her association with media companies, but her personal income and assets are private.
Conclusion
Ellie Costello has carved a place for herself in British broadcast journalism through a blend of reporting skill, live presentation, and careful management of her public profile. Her career trajectory from the BBC World Service to national breakfast television reflects both dedication and versatility. She has navigated the challenges of high visibility, including personal threats, with resilience and professionalism.
Her influence is measured not only by awards or recognition but by the audiences she reaches and the credibility she maintains across multiple formats. By balancing field experience with studio presentation, Costello exemplifies the demands placed on modern journalists in live news environments.
In her personal life, she has successfully maintained privacy while sharing select experiences, such as her marriage and the stalking case, to inform the public responsibly. Today, she continues to anchor one of the UK’s most-watched breakfast news programmes, illustrating a career built on both preparation and adaptability, with a grounded awareness of the responsibilities that come with visibility.
