Ellie Brennan: Radio 2 Travel Presenter

Q: Where is Ellie Brennan from?

Ellie Brennan grew up in Nottinghamshire and went to school in Stapleford, before studying at the University of Edinburgh.

Ellie Brennan is a travel presenter on BBC Radio 2, heard on Sara Cox’s Breakfast Show and Vernon Kay’s mid-morning programme. Before Radio 2 she presented travel on BBC Radio 5 Live, and before that she co-hosted breakfast on Viking FM in Hull and Minster FM in York. She was born on 28 March 1993, the same day as Scott Mills, and grew up in Nottinghamshire.

Ellie Brennan at a glance

Job: Travel presenter, BBC Radio 2
Shows: Sara Cox’s Breakfast Show and Vernon Kay (mid-morning)
Born: 28 March 1993 (age 33)
From: Grew up in Nottinghamshire
Studied: Spanish and English Literature, University of Edinburgh (First Class)
Previously: BBC Radio 5 Live (2022–2025), Viking FM Breakfast (2018–2022), Minster FM (2016–2018)
Still on Radio 2? Yes, as of October 2026
Last updated: 8 October 2026

How old is Ellie Brennan?

Ellie Brennan was born on 28 March 1993, which makes her 33. She shares her birthday with Scott Mills, and with BBC Radio 5 Live: on her birthday in 2024 she pointed out that she’s exactly a year older than the station, which launched on 28 March 1994.

Where is Ellie Brennan from?

Ellie grew up in Nottinghamshire, where she went to George Spencer Academy in Stapleford, including its sixth form. At school she was already doing radio, alongside debating, the student council, sport and dance.

Education and student radio

In 2011 Ellie went to the University of Edinburgh to study Spanish and English Literature, graduating with a First in 2015. She spent 2013–14 studying at the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain on the Erasmus programme.

At Edinburgh she threw herself into Fresh Air, the student radio station, presenting and producing shows, covering the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and co-presenting a 24-hour charity broadcast. Her student shows won awards for Best Feature, Best On-Air Duo and Best Talk Show. She later served as the radio society’s secretary.

While at university she also interned on Capital Scotland’s breakfast show and worked with BBC teams during the Edinburgh festivals and on election coverage.

Minster FM in York

In 2016 Ellie joined Minster FM in York as breakfast presenter and content producer, co-hosting weekday breakfast with Ben Fry and presenting a Saturday show. In 2017 she was part of the team that won Gold for Team of the Year at the ARIAS.

Ellie at Viking FM

In January 2018 Ellie joined Viking FM in Hull, co-presenting breakfast with Alex Duffy across Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire for more than four years. The show was nominated at the 2022 ARIAS. She interviewed artists including Lewis Capaldi, George Ezra, Rita Ora, Sean Paul and Snow Patrol, and hosted events such as Pride in Hull, the Viking FM Awards and the Hull 10K.

After developing long Covid in early 2021, Ellie carried on presenting from home while she recovered, and has spoken openly about the experience. She left Viking FM in March 2022.

BBC Radio 5 Live

In March 2022 Ellie joined BBC Radio 5 Live as a travel presenter on Breakfast and Drive. It meant a lot to her: she grew up listening to the station in the car with her dad, and has said he was never prouder than when she got the job. She also began covering shows on BBC Radio 2, including for Scott Mills and OJ Borg, and presented on BBC local radio.

Radio 2: Scott Mills, Vernon Kay and Sara Cox

In January 2025 Ellie became the travel presenter on Scott Mills’ Radio 2 Breakfast Show, and joined Vernon Kay’s mid-morning team at the same time. Her role soon grew beyond the travel bulletins, into studio chat and entertainment features.

After Scott Mills left the Breakfast Show, Ellie stayed with the programme, working alongside Gary Davies, and remained when Sara Cox took over Breakfast in July 2026.

Is Ellie Brennan leaving Radio 2?

No. As of October 2026, Ellie is still presenting travel on BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show and on Vernon Kay’s show. Check the Show Diary for the latest line-ups.

Ellie Brennan’s family and partner

Ellie’s parents are Shaun and Jill Brennan, and she has spoken warmly about her dad’s support for her career. She is in a long-term relationship with Stefan, whom she calls her “other half”. She hasn’t announced an engagement or marriage.

TV, events and voice-over work

TV viewers may know Ellie as a regular “Lunch Mate” on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch, until the show ended in December 2023. She is also an experienced events host, presenting award ceremonies, race days and festivals including Pride in Hull, which draws crowds of up to 60,000. She also works as a DJ and voice-over artist.

Ellie Brennan