Louise Minchin is set to dazzle viewers once again as she bravely faces the Gladiators in an upcoming New Year celebrity special.
The ex-BBC Breakfast favourite will be joining forces with comedian Rob Beckett, Masked Singer’s Joel Dommett, and fellow comedian Ellie Taylor to challenge the show’s mighty Gladiators.
Louise has confessed to being a massive fan of the show since its original airing three decades ago, yet she’s become the butt of the joke within her family circle.
Discussing her family’s reaction to her taking on the Gladiators, Louise shared: “I told my friends and family, I was doing Gladiators they all laughed out loud.”
“They laughed out loud for two reasons. One, that it’s totally ridiculous that I should be doing Gladiators at my age, and number two, they absolutely know that it’s my idea of heaven.”, reports OK!.
Since stepping back from the spotlight after leaving BBC Breakfast, Louise has kept a relatively low profile, making only occasional TV appearances. Here, we delve into the reasons behind her decision.
BBC Breakfast
Louise hosted on BBC Breakfast for two decades
(Image: BBC)
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Louise announced her departure from BBC Breakfast in 2021, having been a staple on the red sofa for twenty years. Initially appearing as a guest host, she became a permanent fixture alongside Charlie Stayt and the late Bill Turnbull in 2012, before co-hosting with Dan Walker from 2016 until her departure.
Louise, away from the camera, is an avid fitness enthusiast who relishes her time exercising. She’s passionate about hiking and also enjoys cycling and running, frequently sharing updates of her sporting pursuits on Instagram.
Her affection for cycling was sparked during her time on BBC Breakfast when she participated in the Christmas Cycling Challenge, igniting “inspired her ongoing passion for endurance sport”.
Louise also cherishes moments spent with her two Labradors, Waffle and Ruby.
Marriage and personal life
Louise keeps her private life away from the cameras
(Image: Yana Audas/PA)
In her personal life, the ex-morning TV presenter is happily married to David, with whom she has two daughters and their two dogs.
David Minchin, a restaurateur and investor, shares Louise’s enthusiasm for sports, being particularly fond of skiing.
The couple exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony at a quaint Hampshire church on June 6, 1998, and are parents to two teenage daughters, Mia and Scarlett.
Why Louise really left BBC Breakfast
Louise couldn’t do the early starts any more
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Discussing her departure from BBC Breakfast, Louise admitted that the “utterly gruelling” early mornings were a significant factor in her decision to leave. She felt that after years of the demanding routine, she had “done it enough” and struggled with the daily early alarms.
In an interview with The Times, she revealed: “You have to be 100 per cent nice Louise. That job comes with an enormous amount of pressure. It’s relentless.”
“The hours are horrific, utterly, utterly gruelling, and it has an impact on every different part of your life – when you eat, when you sleep, how you feel. It was my dream job and I absolutely loved it but I’d done it enough.”
Career switch up
Louise is now a writer
Louise recently graced our screens on an episode of ITV’s James Martin, where she opened up about her career transition during her Saturday Morning appearance. She shared her journey towards embracing a long-held passion for writing.
While on the show, Louise took the opportunity to talk about her latest literary venture, ‘Isolation Island’ marking her third published work but her debut in the realm of fiction. The book narrates the tale of ten celebrities caught in a reality show that spirals out of control, with Louise drawing inspiration from her own stint on ‘I’m A Celebrity’ back in 2021.
Discussing her experience with James, she recounted: “When I was on I’m A Celebrity, it was in a castle in Wales and you may remember that, that year we got evacuated because of a once in a lifetime-storm. So that planted the seed that reality TV can and does go wrong.”