She was born in Clatterbridge, in Wirral (then in Cheshire).^[1] She attended West Kirby Grammar School, where Jan Ravens was two years above her. Ravens would later mercilessly impersonate many Radio 4 presenters of You and Yours and Woman's Hour on Dead Ringers.

She gained a degree in English, Drama and American Studies from Manchester University.

She worked in local radio and TV, and presented the Breakfast show on BBC Radio Shropshire from 1985.

Radio 4 edit

She has presented Woman's Hour (from 1994) and You and Yours.

She married in September 1992 in Birkenhead. She has a daughter (born April 1994) and a son (born February 1997).^{[citation needed]}

• Woman's Hour