Kay Burley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kay Burley
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Burley in 2021
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Kay Elizabeth McGurrin
17 December 1960 Wigan, Lancashire, England
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| Partner(s) | George Pascoe-Watson (c. 2004 – 2009) |
Kay Elizabeth Burley (born 17 December 1960) is a well-known English broadcaster. She was a main presenter on Sky News for many years. She hosted the breakfast show on the channel. Kay Burley also worked for BBC Local Radio, Tyne Tees Television, and TV-am. On 5 February 2025, it was announced that Burley was leaving Sky News after 36 years.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Journalism
Kay Burley was born on 17 December 1960. She grew up in Beech Hill, Wigan, Lancashire, England. Her parents worked in a factory that made cardboard. She went to Whitley High School.
Kay started her career in reporting when she was 17 years old. She worked for the Wigan Evening Post and Chronicle newspaper.
Kay Burley's Broadcasting Journey
Kay Burley worked for BBC local radio and Tyne Tees Television. In 1985, she joined TV-am as a reporter. She also read the news sometimes. From 1987, she presented TV-am's first hour. She filled in for other presenters when they were away.
Andrew Neil hired Kay Burley to join Sky Television. She helped launch the Sky One Entertainment Channel in November 1988. She had her own documentary called The Satellite Revolution. Later in 1988, she moved to the new Sky News channel.
Key News Events Covered
Kay Burley was part of the team that covered the sad news of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. She announced the princess's death on Sky News early on Sunday, 31 August 1997. She was also the first in the UK to report on the September 11 attacks. This was shortly after the first tower was hit.
She led Sky News's coverage from Sri Lanka after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. In 2005, she was a key part of Sky News's reporting on the general election. She also covered the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. In 2013, she led the coverage of the birth of Prince George.
Other Media Work
Kay Burley sometimes writes for the Sunday Mirror newspaper. In 2006, she appeared on Channel 5's news bulletins. She has also filled in for shows on LBC 97.3 radio. On 23 March 2014, she joined LBC Radio to present a Sunday morning show. She presented it with Stig Abell.
Reality TV Appearances
Kay Burley was a contestant on the second series of Dancing on Ice. This was an ITV reality television show. She started on 20 January 2007. She skated to support MacMillan Cancer Care. She did this in memory of her mother, who had breast cancer. She gave her fee from the show to the charity. Kay and her partner, Fred Palascak, left the show in the fifth week. She also appeared on Celebrity Hunted in 2018.
Her Own Shows
In September 2018, it was announced that Kay Burley would have her own show on Sky News. It was called The Kay Burley Show.
In September 2019, she moved to breakfast time. She began hosting Kay Burley @Breakfast. On 3 October 2019, she hosted her last afternoon show. Her first morning slot was on 14 October 2019.
In December 2020, Kay Burley was suspended from her show for six months. This was because she had broken rules about coronavirus restrictions in London. She returned to the channel on 7 June 2021. She simply said, "it's great to be back," before reporting the news.
On 5 February 2025, Sky News announced that Kay Burley was leaving the channel. She had worked there for 36 years.
Writing Career
Kay Burley's first novel, First Ladies, was published on 12 May 2011. The book is a story set in the media industry, including television news.
Another novel by Kay Burley, Betrayal, was published in May 2012.
Personal Life and Hobbies
In 2018, Kay Burley took part in Channel 4's Celebrity Hunted. She was caught in the second to last episode.
In an interview in 2019, Kay Burley shared that she enjoys climbing and mountaineering.
Kay Burley is a Roman Catholic.
