In Britain, Ellie Costello is usually on the air first thing in the morning, long before most people have even fully woken up. She is calm and collected as she leads viewers through the day’s first news stories. Being clear under pressure, able to change tone quickly, and having a steady presence while things are still happening are all important parts of the job. A lot of people have grown used to seeing her at breakfast. In real life, though, she is a workplace disciplined person with steady ambitions whose career has been shaped by both reporting from the field and hosting from a desk.
In the usual sense, Ellie Costello is not a famous person. She works as a journalist and has built her reputation over time through reporting, live broadcasting, and getting to know her audience. But her growing fame at GB News and the public talks about her personal life have brought more attention to her life, her career, and what it’s really like to be a TV host today.
Beginnings and Background
Essex is a county in the southeast of England where Ellie Costello grew up. It has produced many famous people but still stays true to everyday British life. Besides her time at university, she has said that Essex has been home for most of her life. This sense of place has shaped how she sees the world.
Few details are known about her family history, and she has kept a lot of her private life from the public. A lot of people don’t know what her parents do for a living or if she has siblings. This is because many journalists choose to keep their personal lives separate from their work lives.
It’s more clear that Costello’s early years weren’t marked by easy access to TV or media circles. Her path is more like the typical path into British journalism, which depends on education, persistence, and first-hand experience in a newsroom rather than connections in the industry.
Learning and First Goals
Costello studied English Literature at the University of Southampton. This shows that he was interested in stories, language, and analysis from a young age. Journalists in the UK often start their careers with an English degree, which teaches them writing and critical thought rather than technical reporting skills.
After getting her bachelor’s degree, she went to City, University of London to get her master’s in broadcast journalism. A lot of people think that school is one of the best ways for British journalists to learn how to work in a newsroom while also learning about the law and ethics. Students learn how to report on radio, TV, and computers, and they often have to make live broadcasts and work under tight deadlines.
By choosing that path, she made her intentions clear from the start. You don’t just end up working in broadcast journalism; you have to go through specific training and there is a lot of competition for jobs. By the time Costello finished her graduate work, she was ready to work in one of the most difficult fields in the country.
First Job at the BBC
Costello started her working life at the BBC World Service, a global broadcasting platform known for putting a lot of stress on accuracy, clarity, and reaching people all over the world. It is a tough place to work as a young journalist; you have to be able to adapt quickly and use good editorial judgement.
Reporters at the World Service often have to cover global stories for a wide range of audiences. This can help them get better at explaining complicated issues in a way that everyone can understand. Personality doesn’t matter there; the focus is on facts, context, and trustworthiness. That experience as a child probably shaped Costello’s measured way of speaking and her view that news should be clear and accurate.
Later, she moved on to the Victoria Derbyshire show, a BBC news and current events show known for focusing on social issues and stories that are interesting to people. With this change, the focus shifted from covering the whole world to telling more specific stories from the UK. The tone of the show—empathetic, investigative, and often based in emotion—helped her learn new skills.
How to Develop a Reporting Voice
Costello worked on stories at the Victoria Derbyshire program that needed both persistence and care. Reports about abuse on social networks, harassment online, and personal accounts were added to her resume. The stories weren’t just based on catchy headlines; they needed interviews, trust, and careful handling of people who were easy to hurt.
She became a better reporter because of this time in her career. Instead of just reading about politics or breaking news, she started to like stories that look at how events affect people’s lives. That balance—between serious news and real-life stories—would later shape her work as a reporter and host.
She got noticed, and according to her business profiles, she was even called a “Rising Star” by the BBC. Labels like this are usually not very formal, but they show that her work was noticed within the company, which is hard to do in a big newsroom.
Growing with GB News
Costello started working for GB News as a South-East reporter in May 2021. He was one of the first people to work for the channel before it even kicked off. As a challenger broadcaster, GB News came into the UK media market as an option to well-known networks like the BBC and Sky News.
There are risks and benefits to joining a new channel. In some ways, it helps writers grow quickly as the company grows. On the other hand, it puts them in a place where every editing choice is closely watched. Costello was a regional reporter, which meant she spent a lot of time in the field reporting on stories all over the southeast of England.
As one of her first jobs, she had to report live from big national events and help stories develop. During this part of her career, she became more of a reporter instead of just a studio host, which still affects how she does her job today.
Make the switch to national host
Costello went from reporting from the field to more important hosting jobs at GB News over time. She was perfect for studio work because she could handle live broadcasts, interviews, and stay calm under pressure.
She made a big change when she started hosting breakfast TV shows. For breakfast shows, which mix serious news with talk, viewer participation, and lighter segments, you need a different set of skills. Presenters need to be able to quickly switch between topics while keeping the same tone.
Costello started to show up on GB News Breakfast all the time and finally took on a five-day hosting job. She has been a co-host with well-known people like Eamonn Holmes and Stephen Dixon, putting her in a group with both experienced and newer voices.
Big jobs and reporting from the ground
Information about Ellie Costello’s salary and net worth is not publicly confirmed. While some websites publish estimates about the earnings of television presenters, these figures are often based on assumptions rather than official financial information.
As a presenter working for a national news channel, Costello’s income is likely connected to factors such as her experience, broadcasting responsibilities, contract details, and position within the organisation. Salaries in the television industry can vary significantly depending on a presenter’s role, level of experience, and the size of the broadcaster they work for.
It is important to be careful when looking at online claims about celebrity or journalist earnings. Without verified details, exact figures should be viewed as speculation rather than confirmed facts.
What is clear is that Costello has developed a stable career in broadcasting. Her journey from journalism roles into national television presenting shows consistent professional growth. She has built her reputation through experience, hard work, and a strong understanding of news reporting.
Rather than gaining attention through fame alone, Costello’s career has followed a traditional journalism path. Her progress reflects the importance of gaining practical experience, developing communication skills, and building trust with audiences over time.
Where Ellie Costello Is Now
As of 2026, Ellie Costello continues to work as a presenter on GB News Breakfast, where she plays an important role in the channel’s morning news coverage. Her responsibilities include presenting daily headlines, interviewing guests, discussing current affairs, and helping viewers understand the key stories of the day.
Her role requires flexibility and quick thinking, especially when covering breaking news or unexpected developments. Live broadcasting demands strong preparation, confidence, and the ability to respond calmly when situations change.
Costello’s career reflects how journalism has evolved in recent years. Modern broadcasters are often expected to do more than present news from a studio. They may also need experience in field reporting, digital content, audience engagement, and live interviews.
Her background fits this changing style of journalism. Having worked as a reporter before becoming a presenter, she understands both sides of the industry. This combination allows her to approach stories with the perspective of someone who has experienced the challenges of gathering news first-hand.
As her profile continues to grow, Costello remains focused on developing her broadcasting career while maintaining the professional approach that has shaped her work so far.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ellie Costello
Who is Ellie Costello?
Ellie Costello is a British journalist and television presenter known for her work with GB News. She began her career in journalism before moving into national broadcasting, where she gained recognition through both reporting and presenting roles.
Her experience includes covering major news events, political stories, and live reports before becoming a familiar face on breakfast television.
Is Ellie Costello married?
Yes, Ellie Costello is married to Gerard Durkan. The couple married in April 2025 at Chelsea Old Town Hall in London after announcing their engagement in 2023.
Although her marriage attracted public interest, Costello has kept most details about her relationship private and continues to focus public attention mainly on her professional career.
How old is Ellie Costello?
Ellie Costello was reported to be 31 years old in 2025. However, details about her exact date of birth are not widely available, and she has not made her age a major part of her public profile.
Like many journalists, she has kept personal details separate from her professional identity.
What does Ellie Costello do on GB News?
Ellie Costello works as a presenter on GB News Breakfast. Her role involves presenting news updates, interviewing guests, discussing current affairs, and guiding viewers through important events.
Her previous experience as a reporter also helps her bring a deeper understanding of the stories she covers.
What happened in Ellie Costello’s stalking case?
Ellie Costello revealed that she experienced stalking for more than a year after a man contacted her following a professional online interaction.
The situation developed into repeated unwanted contact and behaviour that caused significant distress. The case resulted in a conviction, along with a restraining order being issued.
Costello later spoke publicly about the experience to raise awareness about stalking and encourage others to seek help when facing similar situations.
What is Ellie Costello’s net worth?
There is no officially confirmed information about Ellie Costello’s net worth. Online estimates are available, but they are not supported by verified financial records.
Any specific figures should therefore be treated carefully, as they are not confirmed by Costello or official sources.
Conclusion: Ellie Costello’s Story Beyond the Screen
Ellie Costello’s journey highlights the dedication, hard work, and adaptability required to build a successful career in modern journalism. From her early reporting roles to becoming a familiar face on GB News Breakfast, she has developed her reputation through experience, professionalism, and a strong understanding of current affairs.
While her role as a television presenter has brought her wider recognition, her foundation as a reporter remains an important part of her career. Her ability to cover major events, conduct interviews, and communicate complex stories clearly reflects the skills she has developed over the years.
Beyond her work in broadcasting, Costello’s personal experiences have also shaped her public story. Her decision to speak about her stalking ordeal showed her willingness to use her own experience to raise awareness about an important issue affecting people in public-facing careers.
Despite growing public attention, she has continued to maintain a balance between her professional responsibilities and private life. Rather than seeking constant attention, Costello has allowed her journalism and presenting skills to define her career.
As the media industry continues to evolve, Ellie Costello represents a new generation of broadcasters who combine traditional reporting knowledge with modern presenting skills. Her career journey shows that credibility is built through experience, resilience, and a genuine commitment to delivering reliable news to audiences.
