Ellie Costello’s face is familiar to millions of viewers starting their mornings with GB News Breakfast, but her story stretches far beyond the studio cameras. She has built a reputation as a journalist who blends investigative rigor with live reporting, tackling stories from the royal household to criminal trials while maintaining a direct, approachable on-air presence. What sets her apart is not only the breadth of stories she covers but the personal resilience she has shown in confronting public and private challenges over the last decade.
Early Life and Family
Ellie Costello was born in Essex, England, in November 1993, according to public records, and grew up in the county she often references when discussing her formative years. She has described her upbringing as rooted in a close-knit community, with early influences that nurtured her curiosity and drive to understand the world around her. Though she has spoken generally about her connection to Irish heritage, she has kept her family life private, and there are no publicly confirmed details about her parents or siblings. Her early years included exposure to both local culture and broader social issues, experiences that would later shape her journalistic interests.
Her formative experiences included active engagement in school and extracurricular activities, laying the groundwork for a career that demanded public speaking and research skills. The environment she grew up in appears to have encouraged both independence and a sense of responsibility, traits that became evident when she pursued investigative work as a young journalist. This foundation would prove critical in her later professional and personal resilience.
Education and First Ambitions
Costello attended the University of Southampton, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature. She then pursued a Master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism at City, University of London, equipping her with the technical skills necessary for live and recorded reporting. During her university years, she also worked at Surge Radio, first as a presenter and DJ and later as Assistant Station Manager, gaining early experience in production, interviewing, and audience engagement.
Her education combined analytical thinking from literature studies with practical skills in broadcast journalism, creating a versatile foundation. Costello has said she was drawn to journalism because of her curiosity and desire to connect with a wide range of people, a motivation that carried through her early internships and placements at Bauer Media and the BBC World Service. These formative roles gave her the professional discipline and confidence to navigate live reporting and complex subject matter.
Career Breakthrough
After completing her studies, Costello joined the BBC World Service, where she honed her skills as a reporter covering international and domestic stories. She later transitioned to the Victoria Derbyshire programme, a live current affairs and human-interest show on BBC Two, where she conducted in-depth investigations into sensitive issues. Her reporting included stories on bullying in the British beauty industry and the solicitation of sexual favors from social media influencers, investigations that attracted millions of viewers and critical attention. For her work, she was recognized in 2020 as a BBC “Rising Star,” an acknowledgment of her investigative skill and on-air presence.
These experiences demonstrated her ability to navigate complex topics while maintaining empathy and clarity, traits that would become hallmarks of her on-screen persona. At Victoria Derbyshire, she built a reputation for thorough research, precise questioning, and the capacity to engage with interviewees on topics of both public and personal significance. These skills would later define her transition to a national news platform.
Joining GB News
In May 2021, Costello joined GB News as the South-East reporter ahead of the channel’s official launch. She quickly became involved in high-profile coverage, reporting from local communities, courts, and major events across the South East of England. The timing of her move meant she was part of the channel’s foundational team, adapting from the structured environment of the BBC to a start-up broadcaster with a distinct editorial approach.
Her responsibilities soon expanded beyond regional reporting. Costello transitioned to a national correspondent role, covering major stories ranging from the coronation of King Charles III to national elections. Her agency profile notes that she conducted live interviews with high-profile political figures and covered sensitive criminal cases, building a reputation for both professionalism and the ability to handle stories with legal and social complexity.
Breakfast Anchor and On-Air Style
Costello’s profile rose sharply when she became co-host of GB News Breakfast, initially with Stephen Dixon on weekends and later alongside Eamonn Holmes from Monday to Wednesday. Her weekday role places her at the forefront of morning broadcasting in the UK, where she balances breaking news coverage with political interviews, viewer engagement, and analysis of complex topics. Her style has been described as direct yet approachable, combining authority with relatability, a mix that has resonated with viewers.
The GB News Breakfast Show has won multiple TRIC awards, including recognition in 2025 for Best News Programme, a testament to the team’s consistency and Costello’s contribution as a co-presenter. The show’s awards highlight the growing prominence of the programme and its anchors in shaping morning news narratives in Britain, positioning Costello among the most visible emerging figures in the national news landscape.
Investigative Work and Coverage Beyond the Studio
Even as a presenter, Costello maintains a strong profile in investigative reporting. Her assignments have included high-profile court cases, royal events, protests, and international coverage. She has reported on the trials of figures such as Wayne Couzens, Kevin Spacey, and Boris Becker, as well as covering social issues from the death of MP Sir David Amess to the Prince Andrew case. She also narrated parts of the Disney documentary “Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story,” showcasing her ability to adapt her journalistic skills to narrative storytelling and documentary formats.
These assignments emphasize her versatility and commitment to covering stories with public significance. Costello’s experience in sensitive investigations during her BBC tenure has informed her approach, allowing her to handle difficult subjects with accuracy and a sense of responsibility toward the individuals involved.
Stalking Case and Public Statement
In 2022, Costello became publicly known for a personal ordeal when she was stalked for sixteen months by Leo Jones, a former ITV “Airline” participant. She publicly recounted the experience, describing the distress and anxiety caused by repeated contact attempts, messages, and unwanted visits. Jones received a five-year restraining order and a suspended six-month jail sentence at St Albans Magistrates’ Court. Costello’s decision to speak openly about the case highlighted her advocacy for victim safety and the importance of reporting stalking incidents, reinforcing her reputation for courage and public-mindedness.
The episode also demonstrated the personal risks faced by media figures in the public eye, particularly those who engage in investigative or live reporting. Costello’s handling of the situation was widely covered by media outlets and remains a significant moment in her biography, illustrating both resilience and ethical responsibility.
Personal Life and Marriage
Ellie Costello announced her engagement to Gerard Durkan in November 2023, with the wedding taking place on April 12, 2025, at Chelsea Old Town Hall in London. Public records list a director named Elisabeth Costello with a November 1993 birthdate, aligning with press reports describing her as 31 at the time of her wedding. This places her at approximately 32 years old in 2026. The ceremony was reported as intimate, attended by family and close friends, with Costello sharing details through social media about the celebration and her wedding attire.
Beyond these confirmed public details, Costello maintains privacy regarding her daily personal life, her family, and other private matters. She has consistently focused media attention on her professional achievements and advocacy rather than personal exposition, which has contributed to her professional credibility.
Awards and Recognition
Costello’s awards include the BBC Rising Star nomination in 2020 for her investigative reporting, as well as TRIC awards shared with the GB News Breakfast team for Best Multichannel News Programme. These recognitions reflect both her individual skill and the collaborative success of the teams she works with. Her investigative work, particularly on issues affecting vulnerable social media influencers and the beauty industry, received high viewership and critical acknowledgment, underscoring her ability to combine depth reporting with public impact.
Public Image and Professional Context
Costello’s public profile exists within the broader context of GB News, a channel that has been subject to scrutiny by Ofcom for due impartiality rules and broadcast compliance. In October 2024, GB News was fined £100,000 for failing to provide an appropriately wide range of viewpoints during a programme featuring the Prime Minister. While the sanctions relate to the channel, not individual presenters, Costello’s work occurs within this environment, requiring careful navigation of editorial boundaries.
Despite regulatory controversies around the channel, Costello has earned respect for professionalism, live reporting skill, and journalistic versatility. Her ability to conduct interviews across political and social subjects has contributed to her reputation as a trusted broadcaster in a highly competitive media space.
Where Ellie Costello Is Now
As of 2026, Costello continues to co-host GB News Breakfast, combining live reporting, political interviews, and studio analysis. She remains a national correspondent, contributing to coverage of significant social, political, and criminal events. Her career trajectory indicates an ongoing commitment to both on-air presentation and investigative journalism, with potential for further expansion into documentary, special reporting, or editorial leadership within broadcast media.
Her personal experiences, including navigating public scrutiny and surviving a stalking ordeal, have informed her approach to journalism, reinforcing her reputation for empathy, resilience, and ethical engagement with sensitive topics. Costello’s professional story illustrates the evolving role of modern broadcasters, blending visibility, expertise, and social responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ellie Costello?
Ellie Costello is a British journalist and television presenter. She currently serves as a national correspondent and breakfast anchor at GB News, where she co-hosts the weekday GB News Breakfast Show. She previously worked at the BBC World Service and the Victoria Derbyshire programme, establishing herself in investigative reporting.
How old is Ellie Costello?
Public records and press coverage indicate Ellie Costello was born in November 1993, placing her at around 32 years old in 2026. These sources include Companies House records and reports of her age at the time of her 2025 wedding.
Is Ellie Costello married?
Yes, Ellie Costello married Gerard Durkan on April 12, 2025, at Chelsea Old Town Hall in London. The engagement had been publicly announced in November 2023, and media coverage described the ceremony as intimate and private.
What is Ellie Costello’s educational background?
Costello earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Southampton and a Master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from City University in London. Her studies provided a foundation for her early roles in radio, internships, and investigative reporting.
What were Ellie Costello’s notable early investigations?
At the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme, Costello reported on bullying in the British beauty industry and cases where social media influencers were solicited for sexual favors. These reports drew millions of views and earned her recognition as a BBC Rising Star in 2020.
What happened in her stalking case?
Costello was stalked for sixteen months by Leo Jones, a former ITV “Airline” participant, following on-air interviews. He received a five-year restraining order and a suspended six-month jail sentence after pleading guilty. Costello shared her experience publicly, advocating for victim support and the importance of reporting stalking.
What awards has Ellie Costello won?
Costello was nominated for the BBC Rising Star award in 2020 and has won multiple TRIC awards as part of the GB News Breakfast team. These include recognition for Best Multichannel News Programme in 2025, highlighting both her individual work and collaborative success.
Conclusion
Ellie Costello’s career illustrates a blend of professional skill, adaptability, and personal resilience. Her trajectory from regional reporter to national breakfast anchor highlights her investigative talent, on-screen confidence, and commitment to clear, factual reporting. The combination of high-profile live coverage, award recognition, and the handling of personal challenges positions her as a respected figure in contemporary British broadcast journalism.
Her story emphasizes the evolving role of journalists who are simultaneously reporters, presenters, and public figures, requiring a balance between visibility, accuracy, and empathy. Through both professional achievements and personal advocacy, she has established a presence that extends beyond morning television. As she continues her work at GB News, Ellie Costello exemplifies the modern broadcaster navigating a demanding media landscape while maintaining integrity and audience trust.
