Born in Bedford, Beardsmore attended the independent Dame Alice Harpur School in her hometown, then studied for a BA in English and Politics at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and also went to Luton College of Higher Education.

Beardsmore joined the BBC in 1977 as secretary to the Manager of Operations and later as a production assistant. She became the first presenter of the Midlands news opt-outs for Breakfast Time in 1983 before becoming a main presenter of Midlands Today in 1987. She regularly presented the flagship 6:30pm programme with presenters such as Kay Alexander, Alan Towers, David Davies and Nick Owen. She left the programme in February 2003 and worked as the public space co-ordinator at BBC Birmingham in the city's Mailbox complex.

Beardsmore currently works as a freelance media trainer. She also goes to schools to teach people newspaper skills and making newspapers. When BBC radio internet broadcasts of live events (e.g. football matches) breach copyright guidelines, an announcement voiced by Sue is played instead.

Beardsmore married Steven Pile, has one son, and a grandson. She received an MA in Mass Communications from the University of Leicester in February 1999. She is a Chair of Governors at Benson School in Birmingham.^[1]

• Sue Beardsmore at IMDb
• Official website
• Midlands Today
• Sue Beardsmore after twenty five years