If you’ve ever found yourself wondering who is Penny Smith, you’re definitely not alone. Whether people are searching for Penny Smith now, curious about her net worth, or simply asking what happened to Penny Smith after she left our morning TV screens — this article has everything covered. From her early beginnings in local journalism to her remarkable career as a television presenter, radio broadcaster, and published author, Penny Smith’s story is one that deserves to be told in full.
So, let’s take a deep dive into the life, career, and world of one of Britain’s most enduring media personalities.
Quick Facts About Penny Smith
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Penelope Jane Smith |
| Date of Birth | 21 September 1958 |
| Age | 66 years old |
| Birthplace | Eastwood, Nottinghamshire |
| Nationality | British |
| Partner | Vince Leigh (since 2001) |
| Children | None publicly known |
| Notable TV Role | GMTV (1993–2010) |
| Books Written | Coming Up Next (2008), After the Break (2009) |
| Current Base | Notting Hill, West London |
Who Is Penny Smith?
For anyone asking who is Penny Smith for the first time — she is a beloved English author, television presenter, newsreader, and radio broadcaster who has spent more than four decades at the heart of British media. Her full name is Penelope Jane Smith, and she was born on 21 September 1958 in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire. She later grew up in Rutland, where her personality, curiosity, and love for storytelling began to take shape.
She attended Uppingham Primary School and then Rutland High School for Girls — later known as Rutland College — in Oakham. Even during her school years, there were early signs of the vibrant, communicative personality that would one day make her a household name across the United Kingdom.
Her father, Graham Smith, ran an engineering business, while her mother, Christine Smith, was a steady, supportive presence in her life and education. Both parents played a quiet but meaningful role in shaping the determined, hardworking woman Penny would become.
How Old Is Penny Smith?
One of the most commonly searched questions about her is — how old is Penny Smith? Well, Penny Smith’s age is currently 66 years old, having celebrated her birthday on 21 September 1958. Despite being well into her sixth decade, she continues to be a vibrant and active figure in British broadcasting, proving that passion and professionalism have no expiry date.
Early Career: From Local Journalism to Global Adventures
Penny Smith’s professional journey began in 1977, when she landed her first job as a reporter and feature writer at the Peterborough Evening Telegraph. It was here that she developed her sharp journalistic instincts and a genuine talent for storytelling.
After four years in print journalism, she did something quite extraordinary — she left it all behind to backpack through Central and South America and South East Asia. During her travels, she didn’t just sightsee; she worked, reporting and presenting on a current affairs programme for Radio Television Hong Kong. This adventure not only enriched her life but also broadened the kind of broadcaster she would become.
Returning to the UK, she joined Radio Trent in 1984 as a reporter and presenter, before taking on a role at Central Television as press officer for documentaries and drama. These varied early experiences gave her a well-rounded foundation that very few broadcasters can claim.
Television Career: The Face of British Morning TV
Early TV Roles That Set the Stage
Penny’s transition into television was a natural one. She co-presented news bulletins on Border Television’s Lookaround from 1987, and went on to co-present Thames News for ITN alongside the respected broadcaster Andrew Gardner. These roles helped establish her as a confident, reliable face in regional and national news.
Then came her big national break. In 1989, she joined Sky News as a newsreader — a pivotal moment that marked her entry into the world of mainstream broadcasting.
GMTV (1993–2010): The Years That Made Her a Legend
Ask anyone about Penny Smith and the conversation will almost always turn to GMTV. On 19 April 1993, she stepped onto the GMTV set as the show’s main newsreader, and quickly became the main presenter of the Reuters News Hour — a role that would define her career for nearly two decades.
In 1998, journalist John Stapleton joined her as co-presenter of the News Hour, and the two quickly became one of British breakfast television’s most familiar and trusted duos. By 2000, following a GMTV rebrand, Smith and Stapleton became the primary faces of the GMTV Newshour, delivering the morning news to millions of viewers across the country every single day.
In 2009, GMTV relaunched once again — and it was Smith and Stapleton who were chosen as the first faces and voices of that relaunch. A true mark of trust and respect from the network.
Then, on 3 March 2010, the news broke via Penny’s own Twitter account — she had made the decision to leave GMTV after 17 remarkable years. The departure was widely reported as part of a cost-cutting exercise by ITV. Her final show aired on 4 June 2010, marking the end of an era for British morning television.
Later TV Appearances
Even after leaving GMTV, Penny continued to pop up on British screens in memorable ways. She appeared on the satirical news panel show Have I Got News for You in Series 39 (2013), proving that her wit and charisma were as sharp as ever.
Then, in August 2025, she made a headline-grabbing return to breakfast television, guest presenting on GB News Breakfast alongside none other than her former GMTV colleague Eamonn Holmes — their first on-screen reunion in over 20 years. The chemistry between them was immediately evident, and the reunion drew warm reactions from viewers and fans alike.
Radio Career: A Voice That Keeps on Giving
While many people associate Penny Smith with television, her love of radio has been just as significant a part of her career. Her radio journey began back in the mid-1980s at Radio Trent, and it never really stopped.
Thanks to a deep and genuine passion for opera, she presented an opera show on Classic FM and hosted the Kiri Prize on Radio 2 — a nationwide competition to discover a new opera star. It was a role perfectly suited to her enthusiasm and knowledge of the genre.
From March 2021, she took on the weekday drivetime show on Scala Radio, bringing her warm and engaging style to afternoon listeners across the UK. When Scala Radio rebranded as Magic Classical in September 2024, Penny carried on, continuing to present until May 2025.
Throughout her career, she has presented for an impressive range of platforms including Sky News, GMTV, GB News, Classic FM, BBC Radio London, Talkradio, and Magic Classical — a broadcasting CV that very few can match.
Writing & Authorship: Penny Smith the Novelist
Beyond the camera and microphone, Penny Smith is also an accomplished English author — and a rather entertaining one at that.
Her Novels
Her debut novel, Coming Up Next (published in 2008), introduces readers to the character of Katie Fisher, a morning television host who finds herself abruptly sacked and replaced by a younger presenter while she’s away on holiday. The story follows Katie’s sharp, funny, and at times painfully relatable journey through unemployment, media ruthlessness, and the hope of a comeback. It’s a darkly comic insider’s view of life behind the breakfast sofa — and clearly drew on Penny’s own years of experience in the industry.
The follow-up novel, After the Break (2009), picks up Katie Fisher’s story once more, this time as she attempts a career revival through a celebrity reality challenge. Both books were published by HarperCollins and received positive reviews for their humour and authenticity.
Journalism & Column Writing
Alongside her broadcast work, Penny has also contributed lifestyle and opinion pieces to some of Britain’s most respected publications, including Good Housekeeping, Woman & Home, and the Daily Mail. Her approachable, honest writing voice has made her just as readable on the page as she is watchable on screen.
Other Ventures: Yoga, Film & Corporate Hosting
There’s yet another side to Penny Smith that surprises many people. She is a passionate advocate of yoga, and has produced three yoga videos: Penny Smith’s Power Yoga, Penny Smith’s Essential Guide to Yoga (presented alongside Howard Napper), and Penny Smith’s Yoga Masterclass. Whether you’re a beginner or an enthusiast, her yoga content reflects the same approachable energy she brings to everything she does.
She also made a brief but charming on-screen appearance as herself in the partially-improvised 1994 comedy film There’s No Business… — a fun little footnote in an already colourful career.
Away from the public spotlight, Penny is also a versatile and highly sought-after corporate awards host and conference facilitator, widely praised for her engaging delivery and her ability to hold a room with ease.
Is Penny Smith Married? What About Children?
These are two of the most commonly searched questions about her — is Penny Smith married? and does Penny Smith have a child?
Regarding her marriage, Penny was previously married to journalist Tony Birtley on 12 May 1983 at St Wulfram’s Church in Grantham. The couple divorced in 1987 after four years together. Since then, Penny has not remarried. Since September 2001, she has been in a long-term relationship with actor Vince Leigh, and the couple currently lives together in Notting Hill, West London.
As for does Penny Smith have children — based on available public information, Penny Smith does not have any children. This is a detail that comes up frequently in searches, and it’s worth noting that she has never publicly spoken about having kids.
What Is Penny Smith Doing Now?
So, what is Penny Smith doing now — and where is Penny Smith now? It’s a question fans have been asking ever since her Magic Classical run wrapped up in May 2025.
What does Penny Smith do now continues to evolve. She made her memorable GB News return in August 2025, and she continues to be active as a broadcaster, contributor, and public figure. Her willingness to step back in front of cameras and microphones whenever the right opportunity arises says everything about her enduring passion for the industry.
For those wondering what does Penny Smith look like now — she remains as poised and polished as ever, with the warm, familiar smile that British viewers have known for decades.
Penny Smith Net Worth
When it comes to Penny Smith’s net worth, exact figures are not publicly confirmed. However, given her 17-year tenure at GMTV, decades of radio presenting, corporate hosting work, novel sales, and journalism contributions, it is widely estimated that her net worth sits in a comfortable range befitting a long-standing British media personality of her calibre. She has built her wealth steadily across multiple streams — television, radio, writing, and events — making her financial standing a reflection of genuine, sustained hard work.
Legacy & Impact: A Career Built to Last
What really sets Penny Smith apart is the remarkable breadth and longevity of everything she has accomplished. Her career spans more than four decades across television, radio, print journalism, and fiction writing — making her a genuine symbol of endurance and adaptability in the ever-changing world of British broadcasting.
In an industry that too often chases novelty over substance, Penny Smith has remained relevant by being exactly who she is: warm, intelligent, funny, and deeply professional. She is not just a former breakfast TV star — she is a writer, a broadcaster, a radio host, a corporate presenter, and a yoga enthusiast, all rolled into one.
For anyone who grew up waking up to her face on GMTV, or tuning into her radio shows on a drive home — she remains, without question, one of Britain’s most beloved and enduring media personalities.
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