Kirsty Gallacher, best known for her years on Sky Sports News, has been navigating a benign brain tumour diagnosis since 2021 and a street assault in central London in 2024. Here’s what we know, sourced from verified reports.
Career: Sky Sports News presenter ·
Children: Two (with Paul Sampson) ·
Health: Benign brain tumour (diagnosed 2021) ·
Attack: Central London (2024)
Quick snapshot
- Former Sky Sports News presenter (Daily Mail)
- Two children with ex-partner Paul Sampson (The Sun)
- Diagnosed with benign acoustic neuroma in summer 2021 (WalesOnline)
- Attacked in central London in 2024 (BBC News)
- Current relationship status – not publicly confirmed
- Exact net worth – speculative
- Full details of the 2024 attack – ongoing investigation
- 2021 – Diagnosed with benign brain tumour (Yahoo News UK)
- 2024 – Attacked in central London (BBC News)
- 2025 – Tumour growing quickly, began radiotherapy (The Sun)
- 2026 – Scheduled MRI to assess radiotherapy (The Independent)
- Awaiting MRI results to see if radiotherapy worked (The Independent)
- Stepped back from GB News to focus on health (Daily Mail)
Eight key facts, one pattern: Kirsty Gallacher’s public life has been reshaped by two serious events – a health crisis and a violent attack – that she has handled with remarkable openness.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kirsty Jane Gallacher |
| Occupation | Television presenter, model |
| Known for | Sky Sports News (Daily Mail) |
| Children | Two (with Paul Sampson) (The Sun) |
| Health | Benign brain tumour (acoustic neuroma) diagnosed summer 2021 (WalesOnline) |
| Attack | Central London, 2024 (BBC News) |
| Driving ban | Six months, May 2025 (SSBCrack News) |
| Latest treatment | Radiotherapy for inoperable tumour in right ear canal (The Independent) |
What has happened to Kirsty Gallacher?
Health scare and brain tumour diagnosis
Kirsty Gallacher first noticed something was wrong while rehearsing for her role at GB News in 2021. She experienced a blocked ear, numbness, and balance problems, which she initially thought were a cold. Doctors discovered a benign acoustic neuroma – a tumour growing on the hearing nerve inside her ear canal. The tumour was located in a dangerous position near the brain, making it inoperable (Yahoo News UK). By 2025, the tumour began growing quickly, and she underwent radiotherapy to try to shrink it (The Sun).
Gallacher faced a choice between immediate surgery with high risk to her hearing and balance, or watchful waiting followed by radiotherapy. She chose the latter, accepting uncertainty about the outcome.
The implication: two separate health management paths were weighed against personal priorities.
Street attack in central London
In 2024, while on a night out with friends in central London, Gallacher was allegedly kicked in a street assault. She told BBC News the attack left her feeling “afraid” and shaken. The incident was reported to police, but details of the investigation remain limited.
The pattern: two separate crises – one medical, one criminal – have converged in a short period, testing the resilience of a woman who had largely been known for her on-screen poise.
What symptoms did Kirsty Gallacher have?
Symptoms she initially thought were a cold
Gallacher told WalesOnline that her first symptoms were a blocked ear, numbness on one side of her face, and balance problems. She assumed it was a minor infection, but the symptoms persisted.
Hearing loss and balance issues
The tumour pressed on the auditory nerve, causing significant hearing loss in her right ear. She also experienced tinnitus – a constant ringing sound. The condition left her “almost deaf in one ear,” according to reports (Daily Mail). Balance issues made everyday activities like walking in a straight line difficult.
The catch: Gallacher’s symptoms were subtle enough to be mistaken for a cold, delaying diagnosis. The tumour’s location near the ear canal explains why hearing and balance were the first functions affected.
Where was Kirsty Gallacher attacked?
Location of the attack
The assault took place in central London, though the exact street has not been disclosed. Gallacher was with friends when the incident occurred (BBC News).
Details of the incident
She reported being kicked during the assault. While no serious physical injuries were mentioned, the psychological impact was significant. Gallacher described the experience as “awful” and said it made her feel unsafe in the city she has lived in for years.
The pattern: the attack was a sudden, random act of violence that added trauma to a woman already dealing with a serious health condition.
Is Kirsty Gallacher in a relationship?
Current relationship status
Gallacher’s current relationship status is not publicly confirmed. There have been reports that she is in a relationship, but no official statement or named partner has been verified. The uncertainty is reflected in the lack of coverage from major outlets.
Past relationships and children
She has two children – a son and a daughter – with her ex-partner, former rugby player Paul Sampson. The couple separated some years ago but remain co-parents. Gallacher has spoken about being the primary breadwinner for the children, particularly when asking a court to consider the impact of a driving ban (Daily Mail).
Why this matters: the lack of clarity around her romantic life may be intentional – Gallacher has kept her private life largely out of the spotlight since her split from Sampson.
Who is the father of Kirsty Gallacher’s children?
Father of her children
The father of her two children is Paul Sampson, a former rugby union player who played for London Wasps and the England national team. The couple were together for several years before separating (WalesOnline).
Names of her children
Gallacher has a son and a daughter, but she has not publicly disclosed their names to protect their privacy. She has occasionally shared photos of them on social media without revealing their identities.
The catch: while the father’s identity is known, the children’s names are kept private, a common choice among celebrities who want to shield their kids from media attention.
Timeline
- 1998 – Began career at Sky Sports News
- 2004 – Appeared in A Bear’s Christmas Tail
- 2016 – Participated in Strictly Come Dancing
- Summer 2021 – Diagnosed with benign acoustic neuroma (WalesOnline)
- 2024 – Attacked in central London (BBC News)
- 2025 – Tumour growing quickly; began radiotherapy (The Sun)
- 2026 – Scheduled MRI to assess treatment results (The Independent)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Diagnosed with benign brain tumour in summer 2021 (WalesOnline)
- Two children with Paul Sampson (Daily Mail)
- Attacked in central London in 2024 (BBC News)
- Underwent radiotherapy for inoperable tumour in 2025 (The Independent)
What’s unclear
- Current relationship status – not officially confirmed
- Exact net worth – estimates vary widely
- Full details of the 2024 attack – police investigation ongoing
“I didn’t know if the radiotherapy would work or shrink the tumour. I just had to hope.”
— Kirsty Gallacher, speaking to The Sun (2025)
“She was left feeling afraid after the assault in central London.”
— BBC News report on the attack (2024)
For Kirsty Gallacher, the road ahead is defined by waiting – waiting for MRI results, waiting for the tumour to respond, and waiting for a sense of safety after the attack. The implication for her fans and followers is clear: the coming months will determine whether the radiotherapy has halted the tumour’s growth, and whether she can return to the full-time presenting career she loves.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kirsty Gallacher’s net worth?
Exact figures are not publicly confirmed. Estimates vary widely, with some sources suggesting a figure in the range of £1–3 million, but no official statement has been made.
How old is Kirsty Gallacher?
She was born on 20 January 1976, making her 49 years old as of 2025.
Is Kirsty Gallacher still presenting?
She stepped back from her role at GB News in December 2021 to focus on her health. She has not returned to a regular presenting gig, though she remains active on social media.
What happened to Kirsty Gallacher’s hearing?
The benign brain tumour pressed on her auditory nerve, causing significant hearing loss and tinnitus in her right ear. She is now almost deaf in that ear.
Does Kirsty Gallacher have a sister?
Yes, she has a sister named Lara Gallacher, but little is publicly known about her.
What is Kirsty Gallacher’s Instagram handle?
Her Instagram handle is @kirstygallacher, where she has 399,000 followers as of 2025.
Where is Kirsty Gallacher from?
She was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and grew up in the city.
Oliver William Davies Thompson is a staff writer for MetroReport.uk, covering city news, transport, housing and urban policy. He works under Editor-in-Chief Clara Whitfield, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.