Gaby Roslin's media career spans more than 30 years, and she returns to ITV with a new series, The Joy of Pets. Her father, Clive Roslin, was a broadcasting legend, and her close friendship with the late Paul O'Grady was a defining part of her life.
A Broadcasting Family
Gaby Roslin grew up with broadcasting at the heart of family life, thanks in part to her father, Clive Roslin, who enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the media. Clive was one of the senior newsreaders on BBC Radio 4. Over the course of his career, he interviewed many prominent figures and became particularly involved in Jewish radio programmes.
His work in broadcasting meant Gaby was exposed to the television and radio world from a young age, helping to fuel her own fascination with the industry. She has previously recalled visiting Television Centre as a child and watching Blue Peter being broadcast.
Health Challenges and Loss
Away from his professional achievements, Clive faced a major health challenge when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer decades ago. He underwent treatment and survived the illness, later receiving the all-clear from doctors.
Tragically, his recovery coincided with one of the family's darkest moments. Clive was given the news that he was clear of cancer on the very day that his wife, Gaby's mother, Jackie, died from lung cancer in 1997.
Lifestyle Changes
In recent years, Gaby has also made significant changes to her lifestyle. She stopped drinking alcohol eight years ago after deciding that she wanted to enjoy life without the effects of hangovers. What began as a Dry January gradually turned into a longer commitment, eventually leading to her giving up alcohol completely.
Gaby has said that she initially believed she needed a drink to feel like herself, but later discovered that she felt more confident after stopping. She said on the Second Act podcast: "I gave up drinking eight years ago. I wish I'd known all of those years ago how much less shy I'd be from not drinking. You don't think, ‘oh, I hope I didn't say anything awful’. I walk in, I drink fizzy water, I chat to people, And I get into my car and drive home whenever I want."
A Lasting Friendship
Gaby Roslin shared a close and lasting friendship with the late Paul O'Grady, with the pair developing a strong bond both on and away from the screen. Their relationship spanned many years and saw them work together across television and radio, becoming familiar colleagues within the entertainment industry. Gaby affectionately called Paul "Savage", a playful reference to his iconic drag character, Lily Savage.
Their friendship went far beyond their professional lives, which made Paul's sudden death in March 2023 particularly painful for Gaby. Since his passing, Gaby has spoken honestly about the impact of losing someone she was so close to and has continued to cherish the memories they made together.
"He always said he was going to haunt everyone – that he was going to come back and keep an eye on us all," Gaby joked. "He knew how much we loved him because at the end of every phone call I’d go, ‘Oh my God, you know how much I love you,’ and he’d go, ‘You know I love you too. Now f*** off!’"
The Joy of Pets airs Sundays at 11.30am from August 23 on ITV1.
