🆕 Unique Insight Not Widely Covered: Ellie Costello covered Pope Francis’ funeral live from Vatican City in 2025 — one of her biggest solo anchoring moments. She also anchored GB News Breakfast alongside Eamonn Holmes full-time from December 2024, making her one of the youngest lead breakfast anchors on a British news channel.
Ellie Costello is one of the fastest-rising names in British broadcast journalism. She anchors the TRIC Award-winning GB News Breakfast Show and has covered some of the UK’s biggest news moments live on air.
But who exactly is she? How old is Ellie Costello? Is she married? What’s her net worth?
This article covers everything — from her age and early life to her career milestones and personal life in 2026.
Quick Facts: Ellie Costello at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ellie Costello |
| Date of Birth | 23 November 1993 |
| Age (2026) | 32 years old |
| Birthplace | Essex, England, UK |
| Nationality | British (Irish descent) |
| Education | BA English Literature, University of Southampton; MA Broadcast Journalism, City, University of London |
| Occupation | Journalist, News Anchor, TV Presenter |
| Employer | GB News |
| Husband | Gerard Durkan |
| Married | April 12, 2025 |
| Net Worth (est.) | £300,000–£500,000 |
| @elliecostellotv |
How Old Is Ellie Costello?
Ellie Costello was born on 23 November 1993, making her 32 years old as of 2026.
She grew up in Essex, England, and is of Irish descent — a heritage she has spoken about with pride.
Despite being in her early thirties, Ellie has already anchored coverage of some of the most historic global events. That track record puts her well ahead of many peers her age in British journalism.
Early Life and Education
Ellie attended Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School in Brentwood, Essex. In her final year (2011–2012), she served as Head Girl — an early sign of her leadership and communication skills.
After school, she studied English Literature at the University of Southampton, graduating in 2016. During her time there, she was deeply involved in student media:
- Surge Radio — presenter and Assistant Station Manager for nearly three years
- SUSUtv — two-year presenter role
- Wessex Scene — editor of the student news magazine
- Best Presenter Award at the National Student Television Awards (2016)
She then completed a Master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism at City, University of London (2016–2017), equipping her with the technical skills to enter professional broadcast news.
Career Timeline: From BBC to GB News
Early Career (2009–2021)
Ellie’s media journey began remarkably early. She worked at Surge Radio, Bauer Media, and several local stations before joining the BBC World Service as a radio reporter and producer.
At the BBC, she produced flagship programmes including:
- Outside Source
- BBC Minute
- The Newsroom
She later moved to the Victoria Derbyshire Programme as a Television News Reporter. Her investigations there became some of the most-watched films in the programme’s history:
- “Influencers solicited for sex online” — millions of views
- “Bullying in the British beauty industry” — widely shared and cited
In 2020, she was recognised as a BBC Rising Star — a prestigious internal recognition for exceptional young journalists.
Joining GB News (2021–Present)
In May 2021 — before GB News even launched — Ellie joined as South-East England Reporter. She was one of the founding team members.
Her progression at GB News has been swift:
- 2021 — South-East Reporter
- 2022–2023 — National Reporter, Weekend Breakfast co-presenter
- Late 2023 — Co-anchor, Saturday Morning Live with Ellie and Peter (alongside Peter Andre)
- December 2024 — Full-time co-anchor of the weekday GB News Breakfast Show
- Monday–Wednesday: alongside Eamonn Holmes
- Thursday–Friday: alongside Stephen Dixon
- 2025 — Covered Pope Francis’ funeral live from Rome (Vatican City)
Awards Won at GB News
The GB News Breakfast team, including Ellie, has won the TRIC Award for Best Multichannel News Programme three years in a row — a public vote, making it especially meaningful.
Major Events Ellie Has Covered
Ellie’s on-screen composure during live events has become one of her most recognised qualities.
| Event | Year |
|---|---|
| Death of Queen Elizabeth II (Windsor Castle) | 2022 |
| Murder of MP Sir David Amess | 2021 |
| UK General Election | 2024 |
| US Presidential Election | 2024 |
| King Charles III Coronation | 2023 |
| D-Day 80 Commemorations (Normandy, France) | 2024 |
| Pope Francis’ Funeral (Vatican City, Rome) | 2025 |
| Trooping the Colour | 2024 |
She was also a national correspondent for the trials of Boris Becker, Wayne Couzens, Kevin Spacey, and the infamous Wagatha Christie case.
Ellie Costello’s Husband: Who Is Gerard Durkan?
Ellie Costello is married to Gerard Durkan.
The couple got engaged in November 2023 during a holiday in Phuket, Thailand. Ellie shared the news on social media alongside photos of her engagement ring.
They married on 12 April 2025 in a civil ceremony at Chelsea Old Town Hall, London. This was followed by a three-day celebration at a 16th-century French château, attended by close family and friends. Several UK media outlets covered the event.
Ellie shared: “I’m so happy to share some photos from our wedding day. We feel so blessed and our hearts are full.”
Gerard Durkan keeps a very low public profile and is not a media figure. The couple have chosen to keep most of their relationship private.
Does Ellie Costello Have Children?
As of 2026, there is no public information confirming that Ellie Costello has children. She has not shared any details about this publicly. Her social media and interviews remain focused on her career and professional milestones.
Is Ellie Costello’s Hair Real?
This is one of the most-searched questions about Ellie online. She has never publicly addressed whether her hair is natural or styled. She has not confirmed any hair-related treatments or extensions in interviews or on social media.
Ellie Costello’s Net Worth
Ellie’s estimated net worth sits between £300,000 and £500,000, based on her salary as a lead GB News anchor and her earlier BBC career. She is also represented as a professional speaker through Champions Speakers Agency, which adds to her income through corporate events and summits.
Stalking Incident (2022)
In November 2022, Ellie publicly revealed that she had been stalked by a former reality TV contestant, Leo Jones, for around 16 months.
The situation caused her significant distress, including panic attacks and fear for her safety. During Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral coverage, she realised Jones was just 10 feet away, staring at her.
A court later issued Jones a five-year restraining order.
Ellie’s decision to speak publicly about the ordeal was widely praised for raising awareness of the issue of stalking, particularly for public-facing women in the media.
Ellie Costello on Social Media
- Instagram: @elliecostellotv — 35,000+ followers
- X (Twitter): @elliecostelloTV
- Management: Becca Barr Management
She describes herself on Instagram as: “Anchor, TRIC award-winning GB News Breakfast 🥇 Dog Mum @theminimonty_”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How old is Ellie Costello?
Ellie Costello is 32 years old, born on 23 November 1993.
Where is Ellie Costello from?
She is from Essex, England, and is of Irish descent.
Who is Ellie Costello married to?
She is married to Gerard Durkan. They wed in April 2025 in London.
What show does Ellie Costello present?
She co-anchors the GB News Breakfast Show, presenting alongside Eamonn Holmes and Stephen Dixon.
Did Ellie Costello work at the BBC?
Yes. She worked at BBC World Service and on the Victoria Derbyshire Programme before joining GB News in 2021.
Has Ellie Costello won any awards?
She was nominated as a BBC Rising Star in 2020 and is part of the TRIC Award-winning GB News Breakfast team (3 consecutive wins).
What is Ellie Costello’s net worth?
Estimated between £300,000 and £500,000 based on her broadcasting career and speaking engagements.
