Kay Burley is the straight-talking Sky News anchor who takes no prisoners. But she reveals a gentler side to Suzanne Baum
every day as a blessing
THE QUEEN OF satellite broadcasting Kay Burley needs little introduction. A prominent news reporter for decades, the anchor of Sky News - who has been at the helm of the station since 1988 - is one of the most recognisable names on the television. With her 60th birthday just a few months off, it’s Fit & Well’s Suzanne Baum’s turn to ask the questions. We have crossed paths at numerous work functions and her voice is the first I hear every morning when I switch on Kay Burley @ Breakfast on Sky News. For as the face of Sky News’ breakfast show, I have been tuning in daily to see her coverage of the coronavirus epidemic. From debating hard news with government ministers to comforting families who have lost loved ones, Kay’s interviewing skills - which occasionally have caused controversy - are absolutely spot on.
IN FACT, HER inquisitive nature is one of her well-documented traits, along with her non-judgemental human touch. Even in the darkest days of the pandemic she seemed to temper terrifying news with a certain calm as the events unfolded.
“I love my work so I throw myself into it and, to me, I’ve got nothing to complain about right now so I bring a smile to the job whenever I can,” she tells me as she takes my call from her car straight from coming off air. “I enjoy life, I don’t take a day for granted.”
Both my grandmother and my mother died of breast cancer which is why it haunts me so much. I never met my grandmother, who was just 42 when she died and my mother was only 18 at the time. My mum died herself at the age of 57 and my dad was a similar age. It was a very traumatic time for me.”
Although Kay is straight-talking and direct, she is very different off camera - this soft er side is well known amongst her huge cohort of friends and colleagues. Several people asked me if I was intimidated interviewing her and I’m quick to point out that it couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, she has a sharp wit and gives as good as she gets, but she’s been at Sky since its launch, clocked more live hours of TV than anyone else and really doesn’t seem to get fazed by anything work-related.
It means Kay can go from giving Boris Johnson a grilling, to talking about the calming effects of dogs in lockdown - the way in which she can flick from a serious to a less intense interview is admirable. The award-winning broadcaster is also very open about her private life, having spoken oft en of her love of holidays, the facelift she had almost a decade ago and passion for clothes.
“I don’t beat around the bush at all as every single day is a blessing,” she tells me when I ask her if she ever gets nervous doing live TV.
