The multi-talented Gaby Roslin has been a TV presenter for more than three decades and her positive energy is infectious. She's best known for her work on Children in Need and of course, as a co-presenter of The Big Breakfast on Channel 4.
Speaking exclusively to Yours, she told us that "working with Chris Evans (on The Big Breakfast) and Billy Crystal re-enacting the fake orgasm scene from When Harry Met Sally with Lily Savage saying, 'I'll have what she's having'." are some of her favourite moments from the programme.
For Gaby, it was an honour to "be a part of a show where nothing like that had ever been seen on television before".
Gaby Roslin on Magic Radio
In 2010, she took to the airwaves and found her second home. Now, every Saturday (from the 25th of January 2025), Gaby Roslin presents the Magic Weekend breakfast show from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
"I love it. It's all 80s till now and we play really upbeat music", she says.
And it seems that it's a family affair as her children are fans of the station, too. "I actually think I know every word of every song, and as does my 18-year-old daughter, who was already listening to Magic with her friends before I joined. They love it because they love the music".
Gaby says her sunny-side-up disposition has really helped her as well as she hopes it has helped others. “I wanted to become a presenter from age three because I wanted to make people happy and I still want to do that,” says Gaby.
That’s why throughout the pandemic and to this day, she’s been hosting Gaby Roslin Podcast: Reasons To Be Joyful, in which she asks famous faces to discuss the things that make them happiest. “I don’t ever want my positivity to be patronising for people who are ill or really down, but I do think laughter is the best medicine in these times and that everyone can spread a little kindness and positivity.”
She has interviewed many inspirational people, but which one has made the most impact on her?
"So many! Getting to interview Dame Judi Dench and her daughter, Finty Williams, for the very first episode of my podcast. Come on now, Judi Dench! I mean, I remember when they said yes. And we thought, well, we'll launch the podcast with that. And I just was screaming.
"They don't all have to be celebrities. You know, I truly believe everybody's got a story. And if somebody says that somebody's boring, that's not true. You just haven't asked the right questions.
"I did a show called the City Hospital and I met some incredible people who were changing lives, you know, the doctors and the nurses."
Despite meeting plenty of interesting people, Gaby still has some big names on her list of dream interviewees. "I wish I'd met Nelson Mandela. I always used to say that I've still got people on my list. I'd I'd love to interview Michelle and Barack Obama together".
Gaby Roslin on keeping a positive outlook on life
No matter what the day brings, Gaby's top tip for staying positive is to smile.
"Every single day before you grab your phone - before you start doing scrolling - force a smile on your face because there's science behind it that your brain then feels even just for that moment that life is a little bit better and everybody has a lot of crap to deal with.
"I'm utterly aware that life can be very bleak. The news is very, very bleak and there's a lot of fear out there. And there are a lot of people coping with their own health, work, mental health or physical issues and that we're still in the cost of living crisis. So there's a lot going on.
"But just for that moment, if you can carry on that smile into the bathroom mirror and smile at yourself instead of going oh, look at that. 'Oh, my roots, my roots or 'Oh Lord, I've got spot'.
"Just please just for that moment. Hold on to that."
How old is Gaby Roslin?
Born in London on 12 July 1964, Gaby is currently 60, but she's not worrying about the number. "People can make a big deal about it, and I think 'why do you have to go about my age?' It's not about my age.
I'm very lucky to be alive. I've lost friends. I've lost family far too young, and I'm alive. So I'm making the most of every moment."
"As you get older make sure that you keep your imagination alive and make the most of each and every moment".
Where does Gaby Roslin live now?
Gaby still lives in London with her family.
Who is Gaby Roslin married to?
Gaby has been married twice. First to musician Colin Peel in 1995 before they sadly divorced in 2004 and then to publisher David Osmon who she married in 2013. Gaby Roslin and her husband David continue to be together to this day.
Gaby Roslin's children
The presenter has two daughters, Libbi-Jack who she shares with her ex-husband Colin and Amelie with her husband David.
Gaby Roslin book
In October 2023, Gaby Roslin's first book 'Spread the Joy' was published. She uses her infectious energy and positivity to share tips on 'how to live a happier, more fulfilled life, one Tiny Task at a time'.
AmazonHow Gaby Roslin has been impacted by cancer
Like so many of us, Gaby loves to see the daffodils popping up, as a sunny reminder that summer is on its way.
But as well as admiring the flowers in the ground, Gaby is also proudly wearing a daffodil pin on her shirt as a sign of her support the Great Daffodil Appeal, the annual fundraising drive by Marie Curie.
Gaby Roslin's dad, the broadcaster Clive Roslin, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2010. Clive worked for the BBC for years as the senior news reporter on BBC Radio 4 and was one of the first presenters on BBC2 TV and LBC. As the family rallied to help Clive, just a few months later Gaby’s mum became ill too. In and out of hospital, the family eventually discovered that a pulmonary embolism was hiding a tumour in her mum’s lungs.
“I think we all suspected it was cancer and if I’m honest I think my mum probably knew that herself but she really didn’t want anyone to know,” says Gaby. Just six weeks later Gaby’s dear mum sadly passed away on Valentine’s Day.
In that time, dealing with both her father’s cancer and the passing of her mum, Gaby says the one shining light of hope was the Marie Curie nurses who supported her family.
“I remember going to see my mum and dad in different hospitals around the same time and the Marie Curie staff were just so kind,” says Gaby, who has been a supporter of the charity for many years. “The warmth they showed my mum and dad but also to me was so wonderful. The simple things they did just meant so much: having that extra person to hold our hands and just to know there were other people that cared.”
The experience of losing her mum and caring for her dad, who in a cruel twist of irony found out he was clear of cancer just a week after Gaby’s mum passed away, changed Gaby’s life in many ways.
“I started devouring everything there was to know about health and nutrition after that and even now I love to read medical papers and articles until late into the night,” says Gaby. The other change was her resolute determination to make the most of life. “For years in the public eye I used to be told ‘you’re such a happy person, always smiling, surely that can’t be real’ and I used to say ‘I’m really sorry but it is’.
“Then after mum died I just decided to stop apologising for enjoying life and being a happy person,” Gaby says. “I’ve just always been one of those people that drives others mad because I am happy and a bit skippy even in the mornings. I wake my children up every day by singing musical theatre songs but I don’t apologise for having that outlook now.”
Another change that came from her parents’ illnesses was that Gaby became an ardent supporter of Marie Curie and has championed their Great Daffodil Appeal ever since.
How you can help the Daffodil Appeal
To help support the Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal, you can buy a daffodil online or from one of the participating retailers around the country to wear with pride or donate online.
“My mum was such a kind person, always putting everyone else before herself so I think she’d be shocked if I wasn’t doing this work for Marie Curie, highlighting how amazing they are. It’s an honour to work with them," says Gaby.
Gaby Rosin on Shop Smart, Save Money
Gaby Roslin's new Channel 5 Series Shop Smart, Save Money starts on the 26th February at 19:00.
Listen to Gaby Roslin every Saturday morning on Magic Radio from 10am.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, cinema trips, playing board games and walking her dogs.
