Anjana Gadgil — BBC News Presenter, Broadcaster and Mentor

Anjana Gadgil is a highly respected British television journalist, presenter and event host. Known for her sharp interviewing style, warm on-air presence and deep cultural understanding, she has become one of the familiar faces of the BBC News Channel and South Today on BBC One. Over two decades in broadcasting, she has reported from studios, sports grounds and outdoor locations across the United Kingdom and abroad. Fluent in Mandarin, she is also among the few British broadcasters with first-hand experience of living and studying in both China and Taiwan.

Early Life and Education

Anjana Gadgil Age and Nationality

Anjana Gadgil was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. She holds British nationality and is of mixed English-Indian heritage, a background that has shaped her global outlook and interest in international stories.
Public reports in 2023 placed her age at about 45 years, which aligns with her university timeline and long BBC career.

Academic Background

Her early education took place at Portsmouth High School, followed by A-levels at Havant College. She later attended SOAS University of London, earning a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Mandarin and History (1997–2001).
Her degree included:

• a study year at Beijing Normal University (1998–1999)

• a summer scholarship at National Chengchi University in Taiwan (2000)

These formative years gave her fluency in Mandarin and an insight into Chinese society that later distinguished her as an international journalist.

Career Journey

From Print to Broadcast Journalism

Before joining television full-time, Anjana Gadgil contributed to national newspapers such as The Times, The Guardian and The Independent. Her grounding in print reporting developed a discipline for balanced, well-sourced storytelling—skills she would later translate seamlessly to live broadcasting.

Sky Sports News (2004 – 2007)

Her on-screen career began at Sky Sports News, where she worked as a television producer and reporter. She covered breaking sports stories, managed live outputs and refined her production and presentation abilities. This early experience laid the technical foundation for her later BBC roles.

BBC Radio and Regional Reporting (2007 – 2010)

Anjana moved to the BBC Radio newsroom as a reporter and newsreader, quickly proving her skill in live coverage. She then served as a presenter and reporter for BBC Look East, where she delivered regional stories from Norwich and the East of England.

BBC London News and Sport (2011 – 2016)

Between 2011 and 2016, she was a prominent BBC London reporter, appearing on both the news and sport desks. Her calm delivery and reliable field presence won her a strong professional reputation among London viewers.

BBC South Today (2016 – Present)

In 2016, she became a full-time presenter on BBC South Today, the regional programme for the South of England. She presents both the lunchtime and evening bulletins and often fronts special outside broadcasts. Her half-hour regional show on BBC One combines investigative reporting with features on local culture, sport and community achievements.

BBC News Channel Anchor (2022 – Present)

Since 2022, Anjana Gadgil has appeared regularly on the BBC News Channel, broadcasting national and international news to UK and global audiences. She is recognised for her ability to handle breaking stories with clarity, empathy and authority.

University of Portsmouth – Entrepreneur in Residence (2025 – Present)

In 2025, she joined the University of Portsmouth as an Entrepreneur in Residence. In this mentoring role, she coaches students and staff in communication, storytelling, and creative-industry start-ups. Her work bridges journalism, leadership and entrepreneurship.

Work in Asia and Mandarin Fluency

While studying in China, Anjana Gadgil starred in the CCTV drama “大河图” (Plan for a Big River), filmed in Henan province and broadcast nationwide. The production experience gave her a unique perspective on Chinese media and reinforced her interest in cross-cultural communication. Her Mandarin-language skills have often been highlighted as one of her distinctive professional assets.

Anjana Gadgil Family and Parents

Parents

• Father – Dev Gadgil: a long-distance runner celebrated for completing more than 20 London Marathons. Even in his 80s, Dev Gadgil continues to raise thousands of pounds for cancer research, often covered in regional and national press.

• Mother – Celia Gadgil: remembered lovingly by Anjana, who has shared tributes to her late mother on social media for Mother’s Day and anniversaries.

Their influence—discipline from her father and creativity from her mother—helped shape Anjana’s resilience and warmth.

Anjana Gadgil Children

Anjana Gadgil has two daughters, Juno and Isadora (“Issy”) Gadgil, who appear frequently in her public posts and community activities. Juno is involved in youth theatre and football; Isadora is known for her musical interests. Anjana often shares family moments celebrating their milestones.

Anjana Gadgil Husband and Partner

Anjana Gadgil is married to Nic Hamilton, a creative professional often seen with her and their daughters at family, social and community events. The couple share a long-standing bond, having travelled together to weddings, holidays and charity occasions over the years. However, their current marital status has not been publicly confirmed, as both prefer to keep their personal lives private.

Anjana Gadgil Ethnicity and Cultural Background

Anjana Gadgil’s ethnicity reflects a blend of Indian and English heritage. Her father’s family originates from India, while her mother was English, making her upbringing bicultural. She often credits this mixed background for giving her an open-minded worldview and sensitivity to international issues—qualities that have strengthened her broadcasting career.

Personality and Professional Approach

Colleagues describe Anjana Gadgil as:

• compassionate and articulate

• calm under live-broadcast pressure

• engaging with audiences

• encouraging towards young journalists

Her work demonstrates a balance between journalistic accuracy and human warmth. She continues to champion local voices, international understanding and media innovation.

Recognition and Community Involvement

Anjana is active beyond the newsroom:

• Event and Awards Hosting: She regularly hosts charity evenings, business forums and university award ceremonies.

• Athletics and Fitness: A keen runner and tennis player, she is affiliated with Winchester Running Club and Littleton Tennis Club.

• Mentoring: Through her university and BBC roles, she supports young presenters and entrepreneurs entering creative industries.

• Charity Work: She frequently promotes her father Dev’s marathon fundraising for Cancer Research UK.

Social Media Presence

Her Instagram account @anjanarebecca offers glimpses into her professional and family life—balancing newsroom snapshots with everyday humour, theatre outings and sporting events. The tone remains genuine, modest and inspiring to working parents and young journalists alike.

Anjana Gadgil Biography Summary

Conclusion

Anjana Gadgil embodies the modern British journalist—intelligent, compassionate and global in outlook. From her studies in Mandarin and History to two decades in front of the BBC cameras, she has built a career defined by professionalism and curiosity.
Balancing motherhood, mentorship and live broadcasting, she continues to inspire audiences and aspiring journalists alike.

FAQs

1. Who is Anjana Gadgil?

Anjana Gadgil is a British journalist and BBC News presenter known for hosting BBC South Today and anchoring on the BBC News Channel. She is also an event and awards host and currently serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Portsmouth.

2. What is Anjana Gadgil’s nationality and ethnicity?

She is British, born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, to an Indian father and an English mother, giving her a rich mixed English–Indian heritage.

3. Is Anjana Gadgil married?

Yes. Anjana Gadgil is married to Nic Hamilton, a creative professional often seen with her and their daughters, Juno and Isadora, at family and community events. However, their current marital status has not been publicly confirmed, as the couple prefers to keep their personal life private.

4. What is Anjana Gadgil’s educational background?

She graduated from SOAS University of London with a BA in Mandarin and History, and also studied at Beijing Normal University and National Chengchi University in Taiwan.

5. What are Anjana Gadgil’s main achievements?

Over 20 years in broadcasting, she has worked across BBC London, BBC Sport, BBC South Today, and the BBC News Channel. She is recognised for her clear, empathetic presentation style, her fluency in Mandarin, and her mentoring role for young journalists and students.

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