Kirsteen O’Sullivan: The Versatile Broadcaster Behind News, Sport and Creative Television

Kirsteen O’Sullivan is a Scottish broadcaster, journalist and presenter with a career spanning television news, sport, entertainment, radio, live events and branded content. Born on 24 November 1979 in Chesterfield, United Kingdom, she has worked across London, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow and major international settings. Her career reflects range, editorial skill and the confidence to move between serious news, high-energy sport and entertainment television.

She is known for work with BBC News, BBC regional television, Virgin Media Television, formerly TV3 in Ireland, Channel 4, IMG, Bauer Media and GMTV. Her public identity also includes her social media description as a mother, feminist and broadcast journalist, based in London.

Kirsteen O’Sullivan Quick Info

Kirsteen O’Sullivan Age

Kirsteen O’Sullivan was born on 24 November 1979 in Chesterfield, United Kingdom. As of June 2026, the Scottish broadcaster, journalist and presenter is 46 years old.

Early life, roots and education

Kirsteen O’Sullivan was born in England and became known professionally as a Scottish presenter with Irish roots. Her personal story connects several places: Chesterfield, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and London. That mixture of places has suited a career built on communication, cultural ease and broadcast adaptability.

Academic background

She studied Media Studies at Ulster University from 1997 to 2000, then completed a postgraduate diploma in Broadcast Journalism at Falmouth University from 2001 to 2002. This education gave her a foundation in storytelling, production, reporting, media ethics and on-air technique. It also prepared her for a career that would begin in radio and develop into a broad television portfolio.

Kirsteen O’Sullivan and the start of her broadcasting career

Her early career began in Belfast at Citybeat Radio, where she worked as a presenter and reporter between 2003 and 2005. Radio remains one of the best training grounds for broadcasters because it demands strong voice work, sharp timing, accuracy and the ability to create impact without pictures.

From 2005 to 2008, she worked with Macmillan Media across Belfast and Glasgow. Her role included news editing for GMTV Northern Ireland and Scotland, where she helped shape news output and strengthened her editorial judgement. This period gave her essential newsroom experience beyond studio delivery.

She then moved to Dublin and worked at Newstalk 106–108 as a newsreader and reporter from June 2008 to November 2009. The Dublin chapter became important because it led directly into her rise on Irish television.

The TV3 and Virgin Media chapter

In July 2009, Kirsteen O’Sullivan joined TV3 in Ireland as a freelance journalist on TV3 News. This became a major turning point. She developed from news journalist into a presenter trusted across several formats, including sport, motoring and entertainment.

Xccelerate and football coverage

She presented TV3’s motoring show Xccelerate, a programme that required energy, clarity and an engaging screen style. She also became part of TV3’s UEFA Champions League coverage, which placed her in front of Irish football audiences and strengthened her sports broadcasting reputation.

Xposé and entertainment television

In 2011, she joined Xposé, TV3’s flagship entertainment programme, as maternity cover for Aisling O’Loughlin. Her first official Xposé interview was with Tommy Hilfiger in London. This role introduced her to fashion, lifestyle, celebrity interviews and red-carpet television, proving that she could move smoothly from football and motoring into entertainment journalism.

Kirsteen O’Sullivan at the BBC

Her later work includes BBC News and BBC regional output. Her professional background names BBC South East Today, while other broadcast credits connect her with BBC South Today. These programmes require calm delivery, clear reporting and the trust of local audiences.

BBC regional journalism covers politics, public services, transport, community issues, health, education and breaking stories. Her BBC work shows a return to the core skills that shaped her career from the beginning: accuracy, editorial judgement and confident presentation.

Sport, FIFA, UEFA and London 2012

Sport has remained one of her strongest areas. In April 2012, she hosted a FIFA Women’s Football Conference in Rome. In July 2012, she presented the live televised draw for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan. Both assignments required authority, preparation and ease in international settings.

Olympic and football presenting

At London 2012, she worked as a presenter for artistic gymnastics and trampoline. The Olympic environment demands polish, pace and the ability to support a major sporting atmosphere. Her London 2012 role remains one of her standout live event credits.

She also worked across women’s football, including UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 for Channel 4. Her career includes Premier League Productions through IMG and Chelsea TV, confirming a deep connection with football broadcasting.

Entertainment, Just for Laughs and media versatility

Kirsteen O’Sullivan is also linked with Just for Laughs, the hidden-camera comedy format known for visual pranks and silent humour. In that setting, her work was connected with prank performance rather than stand-up comedy. It required timing, confidence and the ability to carry a scene through expression and movement.

This credit adds an unusual dimension to her career. Many journalists remain within news, while many presenters remain within lifestyle or entertainment. She has worked across newsrooms, sports events, entertainment studios and comedy performance, giving her a distinctive place in television.

Channel 4, Bauer, eOne, Chelsea TV and IMG

Her freelance career has included work for Channel 4, Virgin Media, eOne, Bauer Media, Chelsea TV and Premier League Productions. Bauer Media used her as an entertainment correspondent, while her sport and entertainment work has included major brands and organisations such as Toyota, McLaren, FIFA and UEFA.

Work beyond the studio

She has hosted the first Invictus Games and contributed to high-level branded and organisational projects. These roles sit between broadcast presenting, live hosting and strategic communication, showing her value beyond conventional studio television.

Maven TV and creative leadership

In October 2018, Kirsteen O’Sullivan became Creative Director of Maven TV, a London-based production and content company. Maven TV focuses on brand strategy and content creation for broadcasters, organisations, brands and individuals.

This step marked her growth from presenter and journalist into creative leader. It gave her a platform to use industry contacts, production knowledge and editorial experience in a wider business context. Maven TV also reflects the modern media landscape, where broadcasters often combine on-screen work with production, strategy and independent content creation.

Kirsteen O’Sullivan husband, children and personal life

Kirsteen O’Sullivan is married to David O’Donnell, a former Irish champion surfer from Strandhill, County Sligo. Her Irish connection is an important part of her life, especially after years spent working in Dublin.

She is a mother. A 2016 feature confirmed the birth of her daughter Alice Elizabeth, named in honour of key women in the family. In a 2018 interview about her golden retriever Daisy, she spoke about her two-year-old daughter and described the close bond between her child and the dog. Her social media biography also describes her as a mother and feminist.

Social media presence

Her X account uses the handle @KirsteenOSuv and presents her as a mother, feminist and broadcast journalist in London. Her Instagram account, kirsteenosuv, carries the same identity. The Instagram account has been private, with the bio centred on motherhood, feminism and journalism.

Conclusion

Kirsteen O’Sullivan has built a durable and varied media career through skill, adaptability and professional credibility. From Citybeat Radio and Newstalk to TV3, Virgin Media, BBC News, Channel 4, FIFA, UEFA, London 2012, Just for Laughs and Maven TV, her journey covers many areas of modern broadcasting.

She stands out as a journalist, presenter, sports host, entertainment correspondent, creative director, mother and advocate for women’s voices. Her work across British and Irish media shows a broadcaster with substance, range and lasting relevance.

FAQs

Who is Kirsteen O’Sullivan?

Kirsteen O’Sullivan is a Scottish broadcaster, journalist and presenter. She is known for her work with TV3/Virgin Media, BBC News, Channel 4, GMTV and sports broadcasting.

How old is Kirsteen O’Sullivan?

Kirsteen O’Sullivan was born on 24 November 1979 in Chesterfield, United Kingdom. As of June 2026, she is 46 years old.

Is Kirsteen O’Sullivan married?

Yes, Kirsteen O’Sullivan is married to David O’Donnell, a former Irish champion surfer from Strandhill, County Sligo. She is also a mother.

Did Kirsteen O’Sullivan work for BBC South East Today?

Yes, Kirsteen O’Sullivan’s professional background includes work with BBC News and BBC South East Today as a senior broadcast journalist and presenter.