Faye Barker: From Newsroom Runner to a Familiar ITV News Face

Introduction

Faye Barker is a British journalist, television presenter, reporter and podcast host. She is best known for her work with ITV News, ITV News London and Good Morning Britain.

Her career began behind the camera. She wrote scripts and helped produce news. Then came her chance on screen.

It took years of practice.

Today, she has extensive experience in television journalism. Her work covers breaking news, investigations, documentaries and interviews.

She has also appeared in films and television dramas. Away from broadcasting, she is a mother of three.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Full Name	Faye Barker
Profession	Journalist, television presenter and reporter
Nationality	British
Birthplace	Hampshire, England
Grew Up In	Devon and Cornwall
Education	Attended school in Uffculme, Devon
Husband	Nick Jenkins
Married	September 2007
Children	Three
Career Started	At age 21
First Newsroom	CNBC
Known For	ITV News, ITV London, Good Morning Britain
Previous Work	Five News, Sky News, ITV Yorkshire
Main Employer	ITN
Podcast	What You Need To Know
Career Status	Active in 2026

Early Life and Childhood

Her childhood began in Hampshire, England. But Devon soon became home.

She moved to Holsworthy at four. Her father worked as a GP.

Her parents later separated. Both eventually remarried.

She grew up near Uffculme with her mother and stepfather. Her father and stepmother also lived nearby.

Family remained important to her.

In a personal wedding interview published by Bickleigh Castle, she talked openly about growing up in Devon.

Those early family connections stayed strong. Years later, she returned to the region for her wedding.

Education and Interest in Broadcasting

She attended school in Uffculme, Devon.

Details about her university education are not established in reliable public records.

What is clear? Her career started with practical newsroom work.

She wanted to present news. But getting in front of a camera was not easy.

She needed experience first.

So she started learning how television worked from the production side.

That choice helped her build the skills she would later need as a reporter and presenter.

Career Beginnings at CNBC

Her professional journey started at 21.

She joined CNBC in London as a newsroom runner.

The job involved supporting journalists and production teams. It was an entry-level position, but she took it seriously.

She gradually earned more responsibility.

Within two and a half years, she worked her way up to assistant producer.

She wrote scripts and produced business news.

Still, presenting interested her most.

After finishing work, she sometimes practised reading an autocue in an empty studio. She also recorded voiceovers and volunteered for extra filming.

Basically, she kept practising.

These sessions gave her valuable experience before she became an on-screen journalist.

First Television Reporting Role

Her next big move was ITN.

She joined as a production journalist. Her work involved writing and preparing television news.

Then a new opportunity arrived.

At 24, she made her network reporting debut with Five News.

She also presented her first bulletin.

This was a major career step. She had moved from supporting television production to reporting stories directly to viewers.

Two years later, ITV Yorkshire offered her another presenting opportunity.

Her career was growing.

Building Experience at ITV Yorkshire

She joined ITV Yorkshire’s regional news programme Calendar.

The programme gave her regular presenting work. It also allowed her to report on stories affecting local communities.

But she did more than read news.

She worked as an undercover reporter for three series of Package Holiday Undercover.

The programme investigated poor holiday accommodation and problems faced by travellers.

The assignments took her abroad.

She also presented an award-winning documentary examining the dangers of bogus taxis.

This was demanding journalism.

The work involved research, careful reporting and explaining serious risks to viewers.

Her time at ITV Yorkshire helped her gain experience in different types of television reporting.

Working with Sky News and Other Broadcasters

After leaving ITV Yorkshire, she returned to London and worked as a freelance journalist.

She appeared across several broadcasters.

Her assignments included Sky News, Five News, ITV News and Setanta Sports News.

Some weeks were especially busy. She could appear on several different television networks within days.

She also gained experience covering major international stories, including news following the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.

Freelance work required flexibility.

One assignment might involve breaking news. Another could mean presenting a scheduled bulletin.

She had to adapt quickly.

Her experience across different newsrooms helped prepare her for a permanent return to ITN.

Returning to ITN in 2009

January 2009 marked another important step.

She returned to ITN full-time.

This time, she became a presenter of ITV Morning News.

Her responsibilities included presenting London Tonight and other ITV News bulletins.

Viewers also came to know her through ITV’s London news updates during Good Morning Britain.

She reported for the ITV Lunchtime News and presented weekend broadcasts.

Her responsibilities changed over time.

Still, journalism remained her main work.

Her official personal biography confirms her experience in writing, editing, production, reporting and presentation.

Reporting Beyond the News Desk

Not every assignment involves a studio.

She has also worked on investigations, consumer stories and documentaries.

Her reporting has covered subjects affecting families and everyday life.

One example came in October 2024.

She investigated children’s smartphone use for ITV’s Tonight programme.

The episode, Smartphones: Time To Live Without Them?, examined concerns about social media, screen time and children’s wellbeing.

She spoke with experts and examined research into smartphone use.

Her work also looked at schools trying to reduce phone distractions.

The subject mattered to many parents.

She continued covering online safety issues in 2025.

In January 2026, she reported on a survivor of the Nottingham attacks who was rebuilding his life.

These stories show the range of her reporting.

Readers can find her published work on her ITV News journalist page.

Podcast and Digital News Work

Television remains an important part of her career.

But her work also reaches podcast listeners.

She has hosted episodes of ITV News’ What You Need To Know podcast.

The programme explains major news stories through interviews, reporting and discussion.

She previously worked on ITV’s coronavirus news podcast.

Podcasting gives journalists another way to explain complicated subjects.

It also allows longer conversations than many television bulletins.

For Barker, the work builds on her years of reporting and presenting experience.

What Is She Doing in 2026?

Her broadcasting career continues in 2026.

She confirmed professional changes in a public LinkedIn update during the year.

With Good Morning Britain joining ITN’s production operation, she began reporting for the programme while continuing assignments for ITV News and ITVX.

She also confirmed that she would keep presenting some broadcasts and hosting episodes of What You Need To Know.

Her work schedule changed.

She acknowledged that the new routine affected how she organised family life.

Still, she expressed enthusiasm about continuing her career with ITN.

The update confirmed that she remained involved in reporting, presenting and podcast journalism.

Film and Television Drama Appearances

Her work has also taken her into scripted entertainment.

She has appeared as herself or in broadcasting-related roles in several productions.

Her documented credits include:

• Weekender
• Survivor
• Hampstead
• Casualty
• Four Weddings and a Funeral
• The Whistleblowers

These appearances are separate from her regular journalism.

They also make sense for someone already experienced in front of a television camera.

Her official biography confirms these screen appearances.

Marriage and Husband

Her personal life has attracted interest from viewers.

She married Nick Jenkins in September 2007.

Their wedding took place at Bickleigh Castle in Devon.

Jenkins was working as a design team manager for an investment bank in London when the couple married.

Their relationship began as a friendship.

They had known each other since their university-age years and had previously shared accommodation with friends.

Over time, their friendship became romantic.

Nick proposed on 4 October 2006.

The proposal happened near Teddington Lock after the couple had gone out together.

She later spoke about that evening in an interview with Bickleigh Castle.

The couple chose Devon for their wedding because of her family connections to the area.

Their ceremony brought together relatives and friends.

Children and Family Life

She has three children.

This is confirmed in her professional biography.

She has spoken about balancing broadcasting commitments with family responsibilities.

Television journalism can involve early starts. Reporting assignments can also change unexpectedly.

That makes a regular family routine difficult.

Her 2026 career update mentioned how changes at work affected her established schedule at home.

Still, she continues working in journalism while raising her family.

She keeps most details about her children outside her public professional profile.

Hobbies and Interests

There is more to her life than news.

Her personal biography mentions dance classes and music.

She enjoys singing and playing the piano.

She also has an interest in theatre.

While working for ITV Yorkshire, she performed in pantomimes in Bradford and Leeds.

That stage experience gave her another way to perform in front of an audience.

She has also taken part in charity entertainment projects.

In 2018, she joined other television personalities for Rock With Rudolph, a Christmas recording supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Professional Achievements

Her career includes several notable achievements.

From runner to presenter: She started in an entry-level newsroom position and worked her way onto national television.

Network reporting debut: She began reporting for Five News at 24.

Investigative reporting: She worked on Package Holiday Undercover and presented a documentary about bogus taxis that won an award.

Major broadcasting experience: Her career includes Sky News, ITV Yorkshire, Five News and ITN.

Documentary journalism: She investigated children’s smartphone use for ITV’s Tonight.

Podcast work: She has hosted ITV News podcast episodes alongside television assignments.

Career continuity: She remains active with ITV News and Good Morning Britain in 2026.

These achievements reflect years of practical newsroom work.

She learned the production side first. Then she built her on-screen career.

Final Thought

Faye Barker’s career did not begin with a famous television appearance.

It started with newsroom work.

She wrote scripts, assisted producers and practised presenting after her shifts.

Those early efforts paid off.

She went on to work for national broadcasters, report on serious investigations and present ITV News bulletins.

Her career continues in 2026.

For viewers who recognise her from Good Morning Britain or ITV London, her story explains how much work happened before she became a familiar face on television.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Faye Barker?

She is a British journalist, television presenter and podcast host. She is known for ITV News, ITV London and Good Morning Britain.

2. Where was she born?

She was born in Hampshire, England. She grew up mainly in Devon and Cornwall.

3. Who is her husband?

She married Nick Jenkins in September 2007. Their wedding took place at Bickleigh Castle in Devon.

4. How many children does she have?

She has three children, as confirmed in her professional biography.

5. Where did she begin her career?

She started as a newsroom runner at CNBC in London when she was 21 years old.

6. Does she still work for ITV?

Yes. Her 2026 professional update confirms continued reporting and presenting work for Good Morning Britain, ITV News and ITVX.

7. Has she worked for Sky News?

Yes. She worked as a freelance presenter for Sky News before returning to ITN full-time in January 2009.

8. Does she host podcasts?

Yes. She has hosted episodes of ITV News’ What You Need To Know podcast.