By Alexandra Harper 
On a normal weekday morning in Britain, long before much of the country is really awake, Ellie Costello is already live on air – calm, composed and taking viewers through the day’s first wave of headlines. A function that requires clarity under pressure, a quick ability to change tone, and a steady presence as events are still developing. She has become a recognisable face on breakfast for many viewers. But outside the studio lights, her narrative is one of quiet ambition, newsroom discipline and a career defined as much by reporting in the field as by presenting from a desk.
Ellie Costello is not a celebrity in the conventional sense. She is a working journalist who has paid her dues over time, through reporting, live broadcasting and her ability to connect with an audience. But her increasing profile on GB News and the personal events she has openly discussed have shed a spotlight on her life, her career path and the difficulties of being a modern-day TV presenter.
Education and Early Career Goals
Ellie studied English Literature at the University of Southampton. Her degree helped her improve her writing, communication, and critical thinking skills, which later became valuable in her journalism career.
After graduating, she continued her education by earning a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from City, University of London. There, she received practical training in television, radio, and digital news reporting. The course also taught her about media law, ethics, and the fast-paced nature of working in a newsroom.
Her decision to study broadcast journalism showed that she had a clear goal of becoming a television journalist. By the time she completed her studies, she had gained the knowledge and confidence needed to begin a career in the competitive world of news broadcasting.
Early Life and Background
Ellie Costello grew up in Essex, a county in southeast England. She has often said that Essex has always felt like home, except for the years she spent at university. Growing up there helped shape her outlook and gave her a strong connection to her local community.
Ellie has chosen to keep most details about her family private. Very little is known about her parents, siblings, or personal background because she prefers to focus public attention on her work rather than her private life.
Unlike some television personalities, Ellie did not have family connections in the media industry. She built her career through hard work, education, and determination. From the beginning, she followed a traditional path into journalism by developing her skills, gaining experience, and working her way up through the industry.
Starting Her Career at the BBC
After finishing her studies, Ellie Costello began her journalism career at the BBC World Service. This gave her the chance to work in a busy newsroom where accuracy, fairness, and clear reporting were always a priority.
At the BBC World Service, she reported on international news for audiences around the world. This experience helped her learn how to explain complex stories in a simple and easy-to-understand way. Working in such a fast-paced environment also strengthened her research, reporting, and communication skills.
Ellie later joined the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme, which focused on current affairs and human-interest stories. Here, she covered important social issues and real-life experiences that affected people across the UK.
Building Her Reputation as a Reporter
While working on the Victoria Derbyshire programme, Ellie reported on a wide range of stories, including online abuse, social media issues, and other topics that required careful and sensitive reporting. She spent time speaking with people, listening to their experiences, and telling their stories in a respectful way.
These assignments helped her develop a balanced reporting style. Instead of only covering breaking news, she also focused on how important events affected ordinary people and their daily lives.
Her dedication and professional approach earned recognition within the BBC. As she gained more experience, she became known as a talented journalist with a promising future in broadcast news.
Joining GB News
In May 2021, Ellie joined GB News as one of the channel’s first South-East reporters before it officially launched. Becoming part of a new television network gave her the opportunity to cover a wide variety of stories and take on new challenges.
As a regional reporter, she travelled across southeast England, reporting live from the scene of major news events. Her role involved covering breaking news, interviewing people, and keeping viewers informed with accurate and up-to-date reports.
This period of her career helped strengthen her reputation as a field reporter who could work confidently under pressure and deliver reliable news from the location of important events.
Becoming a National Presenter
As Ellie Costello gained more experience at GB News, she moved from reporting in the field to presenting programmes in the studio. Her calm manner, clear communication, and ability to handle live television made her a strong choice for a presenting role.
Joining the breakfast programme was an important step in her career. Morning news shows require presenters to cover breaking news, interview guests, discuss current events, and keep viewers engaged throughout the programme. Ellie adapted well to these demands and quickly became a familiar face on the channel.
She later became a regular presenter on GB News Breakfast, where she helps deliver the day’s biggest stories, speaks with guests, and guides viewers through the latest news.
Covering Major News Stories
Although Ellie became a studio presenter, she continued reporting from the scene of important events whenever needed. Her background as a field reporter has remained an important part of her career.
She has covered several major national stories, including the death of Queen Elizabeth II, where she reported live from Windsor. She has also covered political events, protests, court cases, and other breaking news stories across the UK.
Reporting directly from these events has strengthened her reputation as a journalist who can work calmly and professionally during fast-moving situations. Her experience both in the field and in the studio allows her to explain complex stories in a clear and balanced way.
Speaking Out About Stalking
One of the most difficult experiences in Ellie’s life became public when she shared that she had been stalked for more than a year by a man she had never met in person.
The situation began after a professional online meeting and gradually became more serious. The man repeatedly contacted her, sent unwanted gifts, and even appeared near places connected to her work. The experience caused her significant stress and anxiety.
The case eventually went to court, where the man was convicted and given a restraining order. After the case ended, Ellie decided to speak openly about what had happened. She hoped that sharing her experience would encourage others to take stalking seriously and seek help as early as possible.
Her honesty received support from many people and helped raise awareness about the impact stalking can have on victims.
Personal Life and Marriage
Ellie Costello prefers to keep her personal life out of the public eye. However, she shared one of her happiest milestones when she married Gerard Durkan in April 2025 at Chelsea Old Town Hall in London.
The couple became engaged in late 2023 before celebrating their wedding with close family and friends. Although Ellie occasionally shares important moments from her life, she generally keeps her relationship private and focuses public attention on her journalism career.
This balance between her professional and personal life reflects her belief that her work should remain the main focus of her public profile.
Public Image and Media Presence
Ellie Costello is known as a professional journalist rather than a celebrity. She has built a strong reputation through her calm personality, clear communication, and confident presentation style.
While working at GB News has made her more well known, she is recognised for her reporting skills instead of creating controversy. She focuses on delivering the news accurately, asking thoughtful questions, and helping viewers understand important events.
Unlike many public figures, Ellie keeps a low profile outside of work. She shares only limited details about her personal life and prefers to let her journalism speak for itself.
Salary and Net Worth
There is no official information about Ellie Costello’s salary or net worth. Although many websites publish estimates, none of these figures have been confirmed.
As an experienced television presenter and journalist, she is likely to earn a competitive salary. However, the exact amount is unknown because her financial details have not been made public.
Rather than focusing on estimated numbers, it is clear that Ellie has built a successful and stable career in British television journalism through years of hard work and experience.
Where Is Ellie Costello Now?
As of 2026, Ellie Costello continues to work as one of the presenters on GB News Breakfast. She appears regularly on weekday mornings, presenting the latest news, interviewing guests, and discussing important events from the UK and around the world.
She also continues to report on major stories whenever needed, showing that she is comfortable both in the studio and out in the field. Her ability to handle different roles has helped her become one of the familiar faces on the channel.
With each passing year, Ellie continues to take on more responsibility and remains an important part of the GB News team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ellie Costello?
Ellie Costello is a British journalist and television presenter best known for her work on GB News. Before joining the channel, she worked at the BBC, where she gained experience in both news reporting and current affairs.
Is Ellie Costello married?
Yes. Ellie married Gerard Durkan in April 2025. Although she has shared this milestone publicly, she keeps most of her personal life private.
How old is Ellie Costello?
Her exact date of birth has not been officially confirmed. Reports have suggested she was around 31 years old in 2025, but this has not been publicly verified.
What does Ellie Costello do at GB News?
She is a presenter on GB News Breakfast, where she delivers the latest news, interviews guests, and covers important stories affecting the UK and beyond.
What happened in Ellie Costello’s stalking case?
Ellie revealed that she was stalked for more than a year by a man she had never met. After a police investigation, the case resulted in a conviction and a restraining order. She later spoke publicly about her experience to help raise awareness of stalking.
What is Ellie Costello’s net worth?
There is no confirmed public information about her net worth. Any figures published online should be treated as estimates rather than verified facts.
Conclusion
Ellie Costello has built her career through dedication, education, and years of reporting experience. From her early days at the BBC to becoming a familiar presenter on GB News, she has steadily grown into a respected broadcast journalist.
Her career includes reporting on major national events, presenting live television, and covering stories that matter to viewers across the UK. At the same time, she has maintained a private personal life and continued to focus on professional journalism.
As her career continues to develop, Ellie remains a trusted television presenter who combines reporting experience with confident on-screen presentation. Her journey shows how commitment, hard work, and strong communication skills can lead to lasting success in the competitive world of broadcast journalism.