Kirsty Gallacher, the 49-year-old presenter known for her work on Sky Sports News, has had a colourful life marked by both professional success and personal challenges. Recently, she was banned from driving for a second time after a speeding offence in Berkshire, where she drove at 35mph in a 30mph zone. This follows a 2017 ban for drink-driving, when she was found three times over the legal limit.
Gallacher has also faced health struggles. In 2021, she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour, which she says is “growing very fast.” The condition has left her deaf in one ear and caused tinnitus. During her speeding trial, she asked to keep her licence to attend hospital appointments and drive her children to school.
Her family ties have also drawn attention. Her sister, Laura Gallacher, is married to comedian Russell Brand, who is awaiting trial on rape and sexual assault charges. Brand has denied the charges, and the trial is set for June 2026.
Born in 1976 in Edinburgh, Gallacher moved to Surrey as a toddler. Her father, Bernard Gallacher, is a professional golfer and Ryder Cup winner. She has described her childhood as “idyllic,” attending school in Ascot and working at a local florist as a teenager.
Gallacher began her media career in 1995 after being approached at a Ryder Cup dinner. She worked as a production assistant before becoming a presenter on Sky Sports News in 1998. She later hosted shows such as Kirsty’s Home Videos and The Games, and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015.
