Julia Bradbury facts for kids

Julia Michele Bradbury (born 24 July 1970) is a well-known English television presenter. She has worked for both the BBC and ITV. Julia is famous for her documentaries and shows about helping consumers. She especially loves the outdoors and has presented many walking programmes.

After a health challenge, Julia has focused on healthy living and enjoying nature. She is best known for co-presenting Countryfile on BBC One from 2004 to 2014. She also presented Watchdog (2005–2009) and Planet Earth Live (2012) for the BBC. For ITV, she presented shows like Take on the Twisters (2013), The Wonder of Britain (2015), and Britain's Best Walks (2017).

Julia has a website called The Outdoor Guide, which her sister Gina helps run. In 2021, they started The Outdoor Guide Foundation. This foundation helps raise money to give outdoor gear to primary schools. Their goal is to make it easier for everyone to enjoy the outdoors.

Early Life and School

Julia Bradbury was born in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, on July 24, 1970. Her father was from Derbyshire and worked in steel, and her mother was Greek. Her family moved back to Britain when she was young.

She grew up in an old rectory in Edith Weston, Rutland, and went to primary school there. Later, she attended King Edward VII School in Sheffield. Her father worked for British Steel Corporation, and her mother had a fashion business. As a child, Julia took acting classes. She even performed in a stage play of Peter Pan at the Crucible Theatre.

Julia's TV Career

Starting Out in Television

Julia Bradbury began her TV career at Chrysalis TV and then L!VE TV. In 1996, she moved to GMTV as their Los Angeles reporter. She also co-hosted Top Gear in the 1990s.

On March 30, 1997, Julia was one of the first presenters on Channel 5. She helped launch the new TV network with Tim Vine.

Working with the BBC

Julia co-hosted Are We Being Served? for the BBC in 2006. This show looked at customer service in the UK.

From 2008 to 2011, Julia presented four series of Kill It, Cook It, Eat It on BBC Three. This show explored where our food comes from. The first series focused on farm animals like chickens and pigs. Later series looked at wild game, fast food, and how animal products are used beyond just meat.

In 2009, Julia temporarily left Watchdog. This was due to some issues with her Virgin Atlantic frequent flyer account. However, she was cleared of any wrongdoing in April 2009 and returned to the show. It was later found that an employee had tampered with her account.

Also in April 2009, it was announced that Julia would present the relaunched Countryfile with Matt Baker. She became very well-known for this show.

In August 2007, Julia presented Ultimate Britain – Climbing on BBC One. She achieved her dream of being a "real" rock climber by climbing famous spots like Commando Ridge in Cornwall.

That same year, she presented Wainwright Walks on BBC Four. In this series, she followed the mountain paths of the famous fell walker and writer Alfred Wainwright. This show was very popular and led to more walking series. Her series Coast to Coast started in 2009.

In 2010, Julia went to South Africa for South Africa Walks during the 2010 World Cup. She also explored Germany in Julia Bradbury's German Wanderlust and the UK's canals in Canal Walks with Julia Bradbury.

In 2011, she took on a challenge in Julia Bradbury's Icelandic Walk. She walked 60 kilometers of Iceland's famous hiking route, ending at Eyjafjallajökull, a volcano.

From 2011 to 2013, Julia presented other BBC shows. These included That's Britain! with Nick Knowles, The Great British Countryside with Hugh Dennis, and Planet Earth Live with Richard Hammond. She also co-presented Fightback Britain and Keeping Britain Safe 24/7.

In March 2014, Julia announced she would be leaving Countryfile and the BBC to work full-time for ITV.

Working with ITV

Julia has presented several shows for ITV. She co-presented Mystery Map with Ben Shephard in 2013. She also hosted the quiz show Take On the Twisters.

In 2015, Julia presented The Wonder of Britain, a primetime series. In 2016, she started her own series called Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury. A book, Unforgettable Walks, was released with the show.

From 2017, Julia presented Britain's Best Walks. In 2018, she co-presented Britain's Favourite Walks: Top 100, which was based on public votes.

In 2019, she presented Australia with Julia Bradbury and My £10K Holiday Home. In 2020, she started a new series called The Greek Islands with Julia Bradbury.

Other Channels and Radio

Julia also anchored Exclusive! for Five (now Channel 5) starting in 1997. She has also presented on radio for BBC London 94.9 and Radio 5 Live.

Books by Julia Bradbury

Julia has written several books, mostly about walking and exploring.

• Julia Bradbury's Railway Walks (2010)
• Canal Walks (2011)
• Julia Bradbury's Wainwright Walks (2012)
• Julia Bradbury's Wainwright Walks: Coast to Coast (2013)
• Unforgettable Walks (2017)
• Walk Yourself Happy (2023)

Julia's Personal Life and Interests

Julia Bradbury lives in Rutland and West London. She has three children with her long-time partner, Gerard Cunningham.

In 2021, Julia was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had surgery to remove a tumour. She has since shared her journey to help others and promote healthy living.

Julia is an ambassador for several charities. These include the Pink Ribbon Foundation, The Outdoor Guide Foundation, Bowel & Prostate Cancer, and Keep Britain Tidy.

In 2009, she took part in the Macmillan 4x4 UK Challenge with her sister, Gina Fox, raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. She also traveled from Kazakhstan to Mongolia with Countryfile co-star Matt Baker for Around the World in 80 Days to help Children in Need.

Julia has held important roles in outdoor and conservation groups. She was president of the Friends of the Peak District and is a vice-president of the CPRE in South Yorkshire. In 2010, she became president of the Ramblers, a charity that encourages walking.

She also works with the British Heart Foundation to encourage people to exercise more. In 2012, Julia became an ambassador for the Scout Association. In 2013, she became the first woman president of the Camping and Caravanning Club.

Awards and Recognition

On November 14, 2013, Sheffield Hallam University gave Julia Bradbury an honorary doctorate. This is a special award that recognizes her achievements.

Filmography

Television

Guest appearances

• Just the Two of Us (2007) – Contestant
• Celebrity Come Dine with Me (2009) – Contestant
• Around the World in 80 Days (2009) – Participant
• The Paul O'Grady Show (2009, 2013) – Guest
• The Magicians (2011) – Guest
• The Alan Titchmarsh Show (2011, 2012, 2013) – Guest
• Daybreak (2013) – Guest
• The Agenda (2013, 2014, 2016) – Guest
• Loose Women (2013) – Guest
• Lorraine (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017) – Guest
• Sunday Brunch (2013, 2016) – Guest
• Countdown (2014) – "Dictionary Corner" guest
• This Morning (2015) – Guest
• The Saturday Show (2016) – Guest
• The One Show (2016, 2018) – Guest
• Good Morning Britain (2016, 2018) – Guest
• The Superhumans Show (2016) – Guest

DVDs

• Wainwright Walks Series 1 – presented by Julia Bradbury (2007)
• Wainwright Walks Series 2 – presented by Julia Bradbury (2008)
• Julia Bradbury's Railway Walks (2009)
• Wainwright Walks: Coast to Coast (2009)
• The Julia Bradbury Collection (2009)
• German Wanderlust with Julia Bradbury (2010)
• South Africa Walks (2010)
• Julia Bradbury's Canal Walks (2011)
• Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury (2016)
• Britain's Best Walks with Julia Bradbury (2017)