Faye Barker: The ITV News Presenter Who Built Her Career From the Newsroom Up
From her early days producing business news to reporting for Good Morning Britain, here is the story of a British journalist whose television career has lasted nearly three decades.
Introduction
Faye Barker is a British television journalist, reporter and news presenter best known for her long career with ITV News and ITN. She has worked across national and regional television, covering major news stories, consumer investigations and everyday events affecting people across the UK.
Her career started behind the camera. She wrote scripts, helped produce programmes and practised presenting after work. That early effort paid off.
By October 2026, she was working across Good Morning Britain, ITV News and ITVX, while continuing occasional presenting duties and podcast work.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Faye Barker |
| Profession | Journalist, television presenter and reporter |
| Nationality | British |
| Grew up in | Devon and Cornwall, England |
| Current organisation | ITN / ITV News |
| Known for | ITV News, Good Morning Britain, ITV News London |
| Early career | CNBC business news production |
| Former broadcasters | 5 News, ITV Yorkshire, Sky News, Setanta Sports News |
| Notable programme | Package Holiday Undercover |
| Husband | Nick Jenkins |
| Marriage | September 2007 |
| Children | Three |
| Other work | Event hosting, television drama appearances and podcasts |
Who Is Faye Barker?
Faye Barker is an experienced British broadcaster who has spent much of her professional life working in television journalism.
Many viewers recognise her from ITV’s news programmes. Her work has included presenting bulletins, reporting breaking stories and explaining important developments to audiences.
But her experience goes further.
She has reported on consumer problems, investigated unsafe holiday accommodation and presented programmes for different television networks.
She also understands newsroom production.
That matters in television journalism. Presenters need to read the news clearly, but reporters must also check facts, write scripts and handle stories as they develop.
Her professional record covers both sides.
Early Life and Background
Growing Up in Southwest England
Faye grew up in Devon and Cornwall, two counties in southwest England.
Her early years were spent away from the London television studios where she would later build her career.
She eventually moved into broadcasting.
And she started young.
According to her official professional profile, she first entered a London newsroom at the age of 21.
She didn’t begin as a television presenter. Her first work involved helping the newsroom operate.
That gave her practical experience.
She could watch how journalists prepared stories, how producers managed programmes and how broadcasters worked under pressure.
Learning the Business Behind Television
Her first important career experience came through CNBC, where she worked on business news production.
She progressed from a runner to an assistant producer.
During this period, she helped write scripts and produce rolling business coverage.
But presenting interested her more.
After finishing work, she sometimes practised in an unused studio. She worked on reading an autocue, recording voiceovers and speaking naturally in front of a camera.
These were small daily efforts.
Still, they helped her prepare for a move into reporting.
How Her Television Career Began
Moving From Production to Reporting
A major career change came when she joined ITN as a production journalist.
She already knew how television news was prepared.
Now she wanted to report it.
At 24, she made her network reporting debut with 5 News and presented her first bulletin.
For a journalist who had started with production duties, this marked a big personal achievement.
She had moved on screen.
The experience also helped her develop the skills needed for live television, where news can change shortly before a broadcast.
Joining ITV Yorkshire
Two years after her early network reporting work, Barker received a presenting opportunity with ITV Yorkshire’s regional news programme, Calendar.
This brought regular television presenting responsibilities.
The programme covered stories affecting Yorkshire communities.
Her work involved reporting and presenting local news to viewers who wanted clear information about events happening around them.
During this period, she also took on investigative assignments.
One of those projects became an important part of her career.
Investigative Reporting and Major Projects
Package Holiday Undercover
Barker worked as an undercover reporter on three series of ITV’s Package Holiday Undercover.
The programme examined problems faced by holidaymakers.
Some investigations looked at poor hotel conditions and holiday accommodation that did not meet expected standards.
The job required a different reporting approach.
Instead of simply presenting information from a studio, she had to gather evidence and help explain what customers were experiencing.
That gave her experience in consumer journalism.
Investigating Bogus Taxis
She also fronted an award-winning documentary investigating the dangers of bogus taxis.
The subject was serious.
Unlicensed or fraudulent taxi operations can put passengers at risk, especially when people assume a vehicle or driver is operating legally.
The documentary showed her ability to work on public-safety stories rather than standard television bulletins.
It remains a notable credit in her professional profile.
Working Across Different News Channels
After leaving ITV Yorkshire, Barker returned to London and worked as a freelance broadcaster.
This period involved several television networks.
She presented and reported for ITV News, 5 News, Sky News and Setanta Sports News.
Some weeks were especially busy.
Her official career account says she could appear on several different broadcasters within the same week.
Freelance television work demands flexibility.
One assignment might involve a live news bulletin. Another could require a reporter to cover a developing story, write fresh material or work with a different production team.
She gained experience with several broadcasting formats.
Her work on the ITV News Channel during the aftermath of the Boxing Day tsunami also formed part of this period.
That experience helped prepare her for further rolling-news work at Sky News.
Returning to ITN in 2009
January 2009 brought another important change.
Barker returned to ITN full-time as a presenter of ITV Morning News.
The appointment gave her a regular position within an organisation where she had already spent part of her career.
Her responsibilities included presenting London Tonight and other ITV News bulletins.
Over the following years, she became a familiar face to viewers watching ITV’s regional and national news coverage.
Her work covered many subjects.
Some stories involved major national events. Others focused on consumer concerns, community news and entertainment.
She also developed experience writing lighter stories for the closing sections of news programmes.
That range helped her maintain a long career in broadcasting.
Her Role at ITV in 2026
Her work changed in 2026.
ITV had announced that Good Morning Britain would move its production to ITV News at ITN.
The change took effect in January 2026.
It brought the breakfast programme into the same news organisation responsible for ITV’s national news coverage.
In a public professional update, Barker explained that the new arrangements had changed her previous routine.
She confirmed that she was reporting for Good Morning Britain, continuing work for ITV News and ITVX, occasionally presenting, and hosting episodes of ITV News’ What You Need To Know podcast.
The change affected her working schedule.
She had previously built a routine around her established broadcasting responsibilities and family life.
Now her assignments covered a different mix of programmes.
Still, she remained with ITN.
Her career update described the opportunity to continue working with the organisation as a privilege.
A Recent Television Appearance
In September 2026, Barker also appeared on Good Morning Britain after presenter Kate Garraway developed voice problems during a broadcast.
Garraway left the programme to rest her voice.
Barker stepped in to help continue the news coverage.
It was a practical example of her continuing on-air responsibilities.
Husband, Marriage and Family Life
Faye Barker married Nick Jenkins in September 2007.
Their wedding took place at Bickleigh Castle in Devon.
A report published by the wedding venue in April 2008 discussed their relationship and wedding celebrations.
The account explained that the couple had known each other for several years before marrying.
At the time of the wedding report, Jenkins worked as a design team manager for a London investment bank.
Barker has also publicly described herself as a married mother of three.
Family life remains an important part of her schedule.
In her 2026 professional update, she explained that changes to her television responsibilities had disrupted the routine she previously used to manage family commitments.
She spoke positively about adjusting to those changes.
Interests Outside Television
Her official profile mentions several interests away from work.
She enjoys dance classes.
She also likes playing the piano and singing.
In a previous interview, she discussed her interest in dancing and the possibility of appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.
These activities offer a small glimpse into her life outside broadcasting.
Acting and Other Television Appearances
News reporting is not her only screen experience.
She has also appeared in films and television dramas.
Her official career profile lists appearances connected with:
- Hampstead
- Survivor
- Weekender
- Casualty
- Four Weddings and a Funeral
- Whistleblowers
Some appearances involved playing herself or a journalist.
These projects were separate from her regular news work.
She also performed in pantomimes during her years working in Yorkshire.
Although television journalism remained her main profession, she gained experience with entertainment productions.
Podcast Work and Public Speaking
Broadcasting has changed considerably since Barker entered the industry.
News now reaches audiences through television, websites, video platforms and audio programmes.
Her professional activities have changed with it.
She has hosted episodes of ITV’s What You Need To Know podcast, including work connected with its earlier coronavirus coverage.
Podcast reporting lets journalists spend more time explaining a subject than a short television bulletin might allow.
She has also worked as an event host.
Her public-speaking credits include award ceremonies, professional events and discussions.
This kind of work uses many of the skills learned in broadcasting, especially asking questions, speaking clearly and responding to live situations.
Charity Work and Community Involvement
Barker has taken part in public fundraising activities.
In November 2018, she joined other television personalities in recording Rock With Rudolph.
The charity Christmas single was created to support Great Ormond Street Hospital.
ITV News reported on the recording, including her participation.
The project brought together people from television and entertainment to raise money for children’s healthcare.
Her professional speaking profiles also mention appearances connected with charity events.
What Makes Her Career Stand Out?
One interesting part of Barker’s career is how many different jobs she has handled.
She started behind the scenes.
Then came reporting.
Presenting followed later.
She also worked on undercover investigations, freelance television assignments and live news coverage for several broadcasters.
There was no sudden leap into a high-profile presenting position.
She spent time learning the practical side of television production before becoming a familiar on-screen journalist.
That background still matters.
Reporters often need to write quickly, verify information and explain difficult subjects in plain language.
Her professional experience covers those responsibilities as well as presenting.
By 2026, she was still working in television journalism, nearly three decades after entering the industry.
Final Thought
Faye Barker’s career shows how much work happens before viewers see a news presenter on screen.
She began with newsroom duties and slowly built her reporting experience. From ITV Yorkshire to Sky News and her long association with ITN, she has worked through different stages of British television news.
Her responsibilities changed again in 2026.
But her profession stayed the same.
She continued reporting, presenting and helping audiences understand the news.
That is the main story behind her long broadcasting career.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Faye Barker?
Faye Barker is a British journalist, television presenter and reporter. She is best known for her work with ITV News and ITN.
2. Does she still work for ITV News?
Yes. As of October 2026, she was working on reporting assignments for Good Morning Britain, ITV News and ITVX, alongside occasional presenting and podcast work.
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, according to her official professional profile.
5. Where did she grow up?
She grew up in Devon and Cornwall in southwest England.
6. Which television channels has she worked for?
Her career includes ITV News, ITV Yorkshire, 5 News, Sky News and Setanta Sports News.
7. When did she join ITN full-time?
She returned to ITN full-time in January 2009 as a presenter of ITV Morning News, following earlier employment and freelance work.
8. What does she do on Good Morning Britain?
In 2026, she confirmed that her responsibilities included reporting for the programme. She has also undertaken television presenting assignments.
