Marina Purkiss Explained

Birth Name:Marina Nigrelli
Occupation:Political commentator

Marina Purkiss (née Nigrelli) is a British political commentator who rose to prominence in 2022 with commentaries on politics and current affairs on mainstream television, including Jeremy Vine on Channel 5 and Good Morning Britain on ITV. Her commentary has attracted attention on social media and in newspapers.[1]

Biography

Purkiss was born in the UK to Italian parents. She grew up in Harrow, and made an early appearance on a BBC website as an inconsolable fan after Italy were knocked out of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in the round of 16.[2] Purkiss graduated from the University of Portsmouth with a degree in marketing in 2007, and then worked as a marketing manager for 15 years.[3] [4]

Purkiss first became politically engaged in 2016, following the EU referendum,[5] using social media as a platform for commentary. Purkiss has over 400,000 followers on Twitter, is a contributor to Byline Times, and co-hosts a 'politically charged (but fun)' podcast, The Trawl, with Jemma Forte.[6]

In April 2023, a discussion between Purkiss and Conservative politician Jacob Rees Mogg on GB News went viral. She later stated that she would never appear on GB News again.[7] [8] Later that week, Purkiss was a guest for the first time on the topical BBC TV panel game Have I Got News For You.[9]

Personal life

Purkiss is married to Ben Purkiss, a former professional footballer. They have two children and live in London.[10]

Notes and References

  1. News: Britain's cottage industry of Left-wing punditry may soon be redundant. James. Warrington. The Telegraph . 24 May 2024. www.telegraph.co.uk.
  2. Web site: Tears in Italian Soho. 18 June 2002. BBC News.
  3. https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinalauren/?originalSubdomain=uk
  4. Web site: My Digital Hero: Marina Nigrelli, Adobe. Justin. Pearse. 19 August 2020. New Digital Age.
  5. Web site: Marina Purkiss | Political Commentator, Writer & Campaigner. Marina Purkiss.
  6. Web site: Oxford Debate. Trust, Corruption, and Politicians | Oxford Literary Festival. oxfordliteraryfestival.org.
  7. Web site: Jacob Rees Mogg 'destroyed' by Marina Purkiss in interview. Ffion. Lewis. 26 April 2023. WalesOnline.
  8. Web site: Jacob Rees-Mogg Clashes With His Own GB News Guest Over The 'Disgusting' Government. 26 April 2023. HuffPost UK.
  9. Web site: Have I Got News For You Series 65, Episode 3. British Comedy Guide.
  10. Web site: British-Italian woman slams 'chaos' after being held up at Border Force. Neha. Gohil. 22 October 2021. MyLondon.