In this episode of New Chapters, broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher reflects on an extraordinary career that’s spanned almost three decades in front of the camera and now behind the mic. Known for breaking ground as one of the few women in sports broadcasting at Sky Sports News, Kirsty opens up about resilience, allegations of nepotism, equal pay battles, and the pressure of proving herself in a male-dominated world.

She shares why she chose to leave Sky Sports, how Covid cemented her love of radio as a companion medium, and what it means to reinvent herself as host of Drive on Gold Radio.
Kirsty also speaks candidly about sleepless nights with anxiety, battling an eating disorder, and navigating the pain of a public divorce – all while raising her sons and working tirelessly to provide for them. Today, she is embracing a new chapter with fresh energy: finding love again, pursuing passion projects, and manifesting what’s next.

This is an episode about drive, determination, and daring to pivot – and why even in the most challenging seasons, courage can transform the story.

Proudly sponsored by Mylands.
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Kirsty: Instagram.com/gallacherkirsty/
Sponsors: www.mylands.com
Edit and graphics by Josh @ Knew Kid Media - @knewkidmedia


(01:03) Hellos
(01:19) New chapter in radio – hosting Drive on Gold Radio
(02:16) Being asked to demo for Gold Radio relaunch
(02:54) The pressure to make her show work
(04:03) TV viewing figures are dwindling
(04:39) What prompted her exit from Sky Sports News
(04:50) How covid cemented radio as a companion
(05:30) The transition from TV to radio
(06:37) Relieved no need for hair and makeup in radio
(07:23) On cameras coming to Gold Radio
(07:43) Wearing her sports gear on air
(08:00) On dressing for the podcast like a botanist
(09:14) On sleepless nights due to anxiety
(09:36) Kids leaving school and growing up
(10:49) Working weekends made her feel like a hamster on a wheel
(11:39) Early chapters in Sky Sports News
(12:04) Sky Sports held a congratulations dinner for her Ryder Cup winning father
(12:18) Early ambitions in fashion journalism
(12:47) Being asked to screen test at Sky Sports News by Mark Sharman
(13:08) Suzanne Torrance – the golfer Sam Torrance’s wife – persuaded her to go for it
(13:42) Starting out as a runner at Sky Sports News
(14:17) On being sent to presenter crash course with Kelly Cates and Simon Lazenby
(15:03) Winning awards very quickly in her career
(15:45) The danger of not taking in the wonderful things you’ve done
(16:08) The role of women in presenting
(16:31) Proud to be one of few women in sports broadcasting in the beginning
(16:57) Allegations of nepotism for her and Kelly Cates
(17:50) Left no stone unturned to prove herself
(18:11) A long way to go to change mindsets
(18:33) There aren’t enough women behind the cameras in management
(19:25) Not enough women bosses at Sky
(19:48) Women need to be steely to work in TV
(20:26) Always pushing in her career and putting her hands up
(20:42) When now head of F1 at Sky got a payrise and she didn’t
(21:14) Demanding equal pay from Mark Sharman
(22:25) Pushing her boss, Sally Ardis, for her own weekday show at Global
(24:18) On having Sir Bruce Forsyth as a neighbour
(24:36) School was an unhappy time
(25:00) Trust issues as a result of being bullied
(25:40) Anxiety is the monkey on my back
(26:25) On conquering an eating disorder
(27:50) Scrutinising her own weight and self-loathing
(29:21) Being a perfectionist and wishing for a more carefree life
(30:00) Turning 50 next year
(31:50) The pain of a public divorce
(33:23) Be kind to yourself if you’re going through divorce
(33:33) On being underweight, overworked, defensive and going out ‘too much’ after divorce
(34:06) Tabloids wrote a lot or rubbish
(35: 02) Still grieving her marriage for her children
(35:27) Single-handedly putting her boys through private boarding schools
(35:42) On working so hard for her children
(36:43) On finding love with another former rugby player
(37:01) Losing the love of football and the football world
(38: 15) Meeting boyfriend Darren Clayton at an event with Gabby and Kenny Logan
(40:35) Blended families
(41:40) What drives her passion for animal welfare
(44:48) The need for education around sentient animals
(47:05) People should research where their meat comes from
(49:03) On wanting to do a triathlon
(50:00) Rapidfire ‘this or that’ round
(52:38) Mylands the New Chapters sponsors – which two paint colours Kirsty likes.
(55:28) Advice on finding the courage for a life pivot
(58:28) On manifesting new projects into life
(59:36) Dreaming of passion projects like becoming a florist
(1:01:01) Gardening chat and goodbyes