Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins has revealed how a significant personal milestone prompted a profound reassessment of her life, a decade after her father's death from Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
The broadcaster, who turned 50 in May, explained that the birthday prompted deep personal reflection on her priorities and the legacy of her father, Frank, who died from the condition in 2015 at the age of 78.
A Milestone for Reflection
Speaking to The Sun's Fabulous magazine, Charlotte confessed that reaching her half-century was a catalyst for change. "I turned 50 in May, and it does make you reassess your outlook and how you deal with things," she shared. "At the end of the day, you want to have a nice life. So you've got to focus on whatever brings you joy, and a lot of that for me is Ella-Rose, my husband Mark [Herbert, 52, a drinks executive] and our family and friends, making lovely memories."
Her father's diagnosis in 2011 and subsequent death deeply influenced this perspective. "When my dad died 10 years ago from motor neurone disease, aged 78, I realised life is short - you have to seize every moment," she said. "His diagnosis was unexpected, and we didn't have very long left with him." Frank, a vicar, had been an inspiration to her during her early career, though she initially struggled with anxiety, adopting a "fake it until you make it" approach.
AI Technology Offers Hope and Emotion
As a patron of the MND Association, Charlotte has a personal stake in advancements against the disease. In a poignant segment on Good Morning Britain in August, she became emotional while highlighting a positive application of artificial intelligence.
She detailed the story of Sarah Ezekiel, a woman living with MND. "One of the hardest things for people with motor neurone disease is losing your voice," Charlotte explained. Using AI, developers managed to replicate Sarah's voice after finding a small, pre-existing video clip.
Fighting back tears on air, Charlotte connected the story to her own loss. "I feel really emotional because my dad lost his voice and that is one of the hardest things with people with MND, when you can't hear your father's voice anymore," she confessed. "I know for her children, they couldn't remember what her voice sounded like so actually to be able to hear your mum's voice like that must have been so special. It's amazing, I am so pleased for her."
A Continuing Personal and Professional Journey
Charlotte's broadcasting career began at ITN in 1999, with subsequent roles at LBC and Sky's Sunrise before she joined ITV's Good Morning Britain in 2014, where she remains a mainstay as an anchor and newsreader.
The Christmas season remains a bittersweet time for her family as they remember Frank. Her advocacy through the MND Association and her platform on national television continue to be powerfully shaped by her personal tragedy, driving her to share stories of hope and technological progress in the face of a devastating condition.
