| Gareth Barlow | |
| Birth Date: | 31 May 1990 |
| Birth Place: | Reading, Berkshire, England |
| Occupation: | Journalist, newsreader, television and radio presenter |
| Years Active: | 2014-present |
| Spouse: | Charlie Lailey |
| Website: | www.garethbarlow.co.uk |
Gareth Barlow is an English journalist, presenter and newsreader best known for his work with BBC News. Prior to his broadcasting career he was a farmer and butcher.
Born in Reading, England, on 31 May 1990, he later moved with his family to North Yorkshire.[1] He was privately educated at St Peters School, York and went to Durham University in 2008 to study biology, though left after one year.[2]
Barlow began farming at the age of seventeen when he sold his Xbox and bought six sheep.[3] Despite not having a farming background he supplied Michelin starred restaurants and farm shops around the UK.[4] In 2012 he was named Outstanding Newcomer to Food and Drink[5] at the Deliciously Yorkshire Awards. In 2015 he won the Countryside Award,[6] in recognition for his contribution to the industry.
In 2010 his story of getting into farming was highlighted by BBC One's Countryfile.[7]
Alongside working as a farmer, Barlow trained as a butcher[8] and slaughterman in an abattoir. In March 2013 one of Barlow's lambs went viral after he posted about it on social media.[9] He stopped farming at the end of 2013.
Barlow joined BBC Radio York in 2014, where he hosted a regular weekly radio show, Yorkshire Farming.[10] He also contributed to BBC One's Countryfile[11] and BBC Radio 4's Farming Today.
In 2017, he joined the BBC World Service as a broadcast journalist, on both BBC radio and TV. He was included in the 2017 Radio Academy 30-under-30 award.[12] Alongside working on news output, he also presented various documentary radio programmes including Crowdscience[13] and The Food Chain.[14]
Barlow presented bulletins on the BBC News Channel. In August 2023 he came to international attention following a blooper he made while presenting a late night BBC news programme. Starting the 10pm bulletin, he said "I'm watching– I'm watching BBC News? I'm Gareth Barlow. You're watching BBC News."[15]
On 7 January 2024 it was announced that Barlow had joined Sky News to present the network's breakfast show alongside Kay Burley.[16]
Barlow is married to his husband Charlie. The couple live in London.[17]