Kirsty Gallacher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kirsty Gallacher
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Gallacher in 2014
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| Born |
Kirsty Jane Gallacher
20 January 1976 Edinburgh, Scotland
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| Education | St. George's School England London College of Fashion |
| Occupation | Television presenter |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Known for | Sky Sports News RI:SE Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway Gladiators (2008) GB News |
| Spouse(s) |
Paul Sampson
(m. 2010; div. 2015) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Bernard Gallacher Lesley Gallacher |
| Relatives | Stephen Gallacher (cousin) Russell Brand (brother-in-law) |
Kirsty Jane Gallacher, born on January 20, 1976, is a British TV presenter and model. She started her career at Sky Sports News in 1998. She hosted shows like Kirsty's Home Videos, RI:SE, and Simply the Best. She later returned to Sky Sports News from 2011 to 2018. From June to December 2021, Kirsty helped present The Great British Breakfast on GB News.
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Early Life and Family
Kirsty Gallacher was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her dad, Bernard Gallacher, was a professional golfer and a captain for the Ryder Cup. Her mom is Lesley Gallacher.
When she was about 18 months old, her family moved to Virginia Water, England. This was because her dad got a job at Wentworth Golf Club. Kirsty grew up on the Wentworth Estate with her younger brother and sister. A famous neighbor was TV host Bruce Forsyth. She went to Coworth Flexlands and St George's School in Ascot, Berkshire.
Kirsty's TV Career
Starting at Sky Sports
Kirsty began working at Sky in 1996 as a production assistant. She then became an editorial assistant for Sky Sports. In 1998, she got her first chance to present on Sky Sports News.
After that, she worked on many other sports shows. These included 90 Minutes, Soccer Extra, Kirsty and Phil (on BBC Radio 5 Live), and Soccer AM.
Hosting Popular Shows
From 2000 to 2004, Kirsty hosted Kirsty's Home Videos on Sky One. This show was like You've Been Framed!, where viewers sent in their funny home videos. In 2002, she presented the morning show RI:SE. In 2004, she started the show Simply the Best.
Kirsty also presented the All Star Cup on Sky1 in 2005 and on ITV in 2006. She appeared as a guest on shows like They Think It's All Over and A Question of Sport. She also presented Ant vs Dec, a popular part of Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.
Reality TV and Other Projects
In 2005, Kirsty won the third season of the reality TV show The Games on Channel 4. She then presented the show in later years with Jamie Theakston. In December 2005, she released a fitness DVD called Body Sculpt with Kirsty Gallacher. In July 2006, she co-presented the BBC show Only Fools on Horses.
In 2008, Kirsty presented the new version of Gladiators on Sky One with Ian Wright. She did not return for the second season. On August 30, 2008, she appeared on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? with Duncan Bannatyne.
She also guest-presented GMTV with Lorraine in August 2010 and Lorraine on ITV Breakfast.
Return to Sky Sports and Beyond
In May 2011, Kirsty returned to Sky Sports to present for Sky Sports News. In August 2015, it was announced she would join Strictly Come Dancing. She was paired with professional dancer Brendan Cole. They were eliminated in week 6.
In May 2018, Kirsty announced she was leaving Sky Sports. On March 29, 2021, she joined GB News to present a breakfast show. She left GB News in December 2021. This was because she found out she had a non-cancerous growth in her inner ear. The early starts made her symptoms worse.
Since April 2021, she has hosted on Smooth Radio. In January 2024, Kirsty appeared on a celebrity version of Beat the Chasers. In January 2025, she started presenting the drivetime show on Gold Radio.
Awards and Recognition
Kirsty Gallacher was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Royal Television Society Television Sports Awards in 1998. She won Satellite/Digital TV Personality at the 2002 Television and Radio Industries Club Awards. Her show Kirsty's Home Videos won Satellite/Digital Programme in 2003. She also won a "Platinum Award" for Best Entertainment Programme in 2002.
Personal Life
Kirsty Gallacher is the cousin of golfer Stephen Gallacher. In February 2013, she became a patron for Hibernian Women, a women's football team.
Kirsty married rugby player Paul Sampson in 2010. They have two sons together. The couple separated in 2015. Her sister, Laura Gallacher, is married to Russell Brand.
In April 2023, Kirsty completed the London Marathon. She finished the race in 5 hours, 35 minutes, and 35 seconds. She had last run the marathon in 2019.
