Katherine Forster: The Journey of a GB News Political Correspondent
Katherine Forster is a well-known British political correspondent, currently working with GB News. Her career trajectory is one of determination, resilience, and adaptability, as she transitioned into full-time journalism later in life and has since become a prominent face on UK television. From her beginnings at The Spectator to her political coverage for The Sunday Times and her current role at GB News, Forster has demonstrated a deep commitment to providing audiences with clear, accessible reporting on some of the most important political stories of our time.
Beyond her professional achievements, Katherine Forster’s personal journey — including her education, family life, and personal hardships — offers insight into the strength and character behind the journalist that viewers see on screen.
Early Life and Education Of Katherine Forster
A Yorkshire Upbringing
Katherine Forster proudly identifies herself as a Northerner. Raised in Yorkshire, she grew up with a keen awareness of how political decisions in Westminster can directly impact communities across the North of England. This regional perspective continues to inform her work, ensuring that she highlights stories beyond the London political bubble.
Academic Foundations
She studied at St Aidan’s C of E High School in Harrogate, where she excelled academically, achieving four A-levels — all at grade A — in English Literature, History, French, and General Studies. She also achieved nine O levels at grade A, a strong academic record that paved the way for higher education.
Katherine then went on to attend the University of Sheffield, where she studied English Literature and graduated with a 2:1 in 1991. Her academic background in literature would later complement her journalistic career, giving her the tools to communicate complex political and economic issues with clarity and nuance.
Career Beginnings in Journalism
The Spectator
Remarkably, Katherine Forster entered journalism later than many of her peers. In 2017, at the age of 48, she was selected for an internship at The Spectator through an innovative no-CV aptitude test. This opportunity marked the beginning of her career in political journalism.
Her first piece for The Spectator became one of the magazine’s most read articles of that year, ranking twelfth overall. Forster went on to write extensively about politics and economics, quickly establishing herself as a sharp commentator with a talent for engaging writing.
Political Commentary on BBC and Sky
Her analytical ability and clear presentation style soon brought her opportunities as a commentator. Between 2017 and 2021, Katherine regularly appeared on the BBC and Sky News, offering political analysis and commentary. She became a familiar face on programmes such as All Out Politics with Adam Boulton, The World Tonight, The Media Show, Pienaar’s Politics, and From Our Own Correspondent.
The Sunday Times Years
From 2018 to 2021, Katherine worked with The Sunday Times. She started as a journalist and later became the Assistant Editor of the News Review section. In this role, she not only edited but also contributed to political writing. During this period, she also assisted with interviews and research for Tim Shipman’s Brexit books, gaining further insight into the inner workings of Westminster.
Her time at The Sunday Times refined her editorial skills, preparing her for the move into broadcast journalism.
Transition to GB News
Behind the Scenes
Katherine joined GB News in 2021. Initially, she worked behind the scenes, producing the channel’s flagship politics programme, The Briefing with Gloria de Piero. She later became a breakfast producer, ensuring the smooth running of the station’s morning political coverage.
On-Screen Political Correspondent
By 2022, Katherine moved into on-screen reporting as a Political Reporter, and in August 2023 she was appointed Political Correspondent. In this role, she became one of the leading political journalists for the network.
Her work involves live reporting on breaking stories, travelling with prime ministers on foreign trips, and interviewing senior figures across the political spectrum.
Political Coverage at GB News
Major Interviews and Reporting
Katherine Forster has interviewed both the current Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for GB News. In 2024 she joined Sunak on international trips to Warsaw, Berlin, and Vienna, and travelled with Starmer to Washington, Rome, and Budapest.
She has also interviewed former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, securing exclusive news lines for GB News viewers.
Breaking News
Her career highlights include covering the resignation of Liz Truss, reporting live outside Number 10 Downing Street for ten hours straight. She also provided on-the-ground coverage of the reaction across Europe to Donald Trump’s election victory, attending the European Political Community meeting in Hungary.
Special Coverage
Katherine has spearheaded coverage of significant political stories such as the Infected Blood scandal and debates surrounding the Assisted Dying Bill. She has also covered issues ranging from defence and long-range missile strategy to domestic concerns like Northern transport.
Her reputation is built on clarity and accessibility, ensuring viewers understand complex political developments.
Personal Life
Age
Katherine Forster is estimated to be around 56 years old in 2025. She revealed in 2017 that she was 48 at the time she began her journalistic career, placing her year of birth around 1969.
Husband
Katherine’s personal life has not been without hardship. She was widowed in 2021 when her husband Nick died suddenly of a heart attack. She has spoken candidly about this tragedy, sharing how it shaped her resilience both personally and professionally.
Katherine Forster Sons
Katherine is a mother of three sons. In July 2024, two of her sons — Matthew (22) and Andrew (18) — made headlines after getting lost for 40 hours while hiking Mount Agung in Bali. Thankfully, they were found safe, and Katherine’s emotional reaction to their rescue was widely covered in the media.
Her experiences as a mother inform her reporting style, giving her a grounded and empathetic approach to news.
Strengths and Style
Clear Communication
Katherine is praised for her ability to distil complex political developments into clear, concise reporting. Her coverage often combines thorough analysis with an instinct for the human side of politics.
Regional Awareness
Coming from Yorkshire, Katherine makes a point of covering stories outside the Westminster bubble. During election campaigns, she relishes the opportunity to travel across the UK, reporting on how politics resonates with communities across the country.
Resilience
Her personal journey — beginning a new career in her late forties, coping with widowhood, and raising three sons — demonstrates her resilience. These qualities contribute to the authority and empathy she brings to her reporting.
Legacy and Influence
Though Katherine Forster began her journalism career later than many of her peers, her impact has been significant. She has interviewed prime ministers, broken exclusive political stories, and provided trusted coverage on GB News.
Her story is inspiring for anyone considering a career change later in life. It also highlights the importance of diverse voices and backgrounds in political reporting.
Conclusion
Katherine Forster is not only a respected political correspondent at GB News, but also an example of perseverance and adaptability. From her beginnings at The Spectator at the age of 48 to her current role as one of the leading political reporters in the UK, her journey has been extraordinary.
Balancing her professional achievements with her personal experiences — including widowhood, motherhood, and the challenges of starting a career later in life — Forster represents the resilience and determination that define the very best of British journalism.
Her career continues to evolve, but what remains constant is her dedication to delivering the political stories that shape the nation, told with clarity, fairness, and an unwavering northern perspective.
