Nicola Weir: From BBC Broadcaster to Fitness Entrepreneur – A Remarkable Northern Ireland Journey

Nicola Weir is a well-known and respected figure in Northern Ireland, recognised for her long career in broadcast journalism, her work in public-sector communications, and her recent transition into fitness entrepreneurship. With more than two decades at the BBC, a strong public profile in rural affairs, and the launch of her own fitness studio in Ballymena, Nicola Weir represents a modern, multifaceted professional whose career has evolved while remaining deeply rooted in her community.

Who Is Nicola Weir?

Nicola Weir is a Northern Ireland–based communications professional, former BBC broadcaster, and business owner. She is best known for her work with BBC Northern Ireland, particularly on BBC Radio Ulster, where she became a familiar and trusted voice for listeners across the region.

After leaving the BBC in 2025 following a 21-year career, she joined the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (PONI) as a Communications Officer. In the same year, she launched Studio N, a fitness studio based in Cullybackey, near Ballymena, marking a new chapter in her professional life.

Nicola Weir Age, Husband and Children

Based on published interviews, Nicola Weir was 44 in April 2020, which places her current age at approximately 50 years old (as of 2026). Her exact date of birth has not been publicly disclosed.

Nicola Weir Husband

Nicola Weir is married to Peter Weir, a detail she has spoken about openly in published interviews. While she keeps much of her family life private, she has consistently referred to her husband with warmth and pride.

Nicola Weir Children

Nicola Weir is the mother of two children:

• George

• Imogen

In interviews, she has described the birth of her children as the happiest moments of her life and has spoken about how proud she is of the young people they have become. Her family life, while largely private, has clearly been a grounding and motivating force throughout her demanding career.

Early Life and Education

Nicola Weir was educated in Northern Ireland and attended Ballymena Academy. She went on to study English Language and Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

To pursue journalism professionally, she completed an NVQ Level 4 in Journalism at the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education, achieving a Distinction. This combination of academic study and practical training laid the foundation for her long and successful media career.

Nicola Weir’s Journalism Career: Starting from the Ground Up

The Early Newspaper Years

Nicola began her career in 1995, entering what she has described as the “hard knock school” of local newspapers. She worked across several respected Northern Ireland titles, covering courts, councils, and community news.

Her early roles included work with:

• Coleraine Times

• Antrim Times

• Coleraine Chronicle

• The Leader

• The Newsletter

She progressed from reporter to Deputy Editor and Editor, gaining hands-on experience in writing, sub-editing, newsroom leadership, and production. These formative years shaped her strong editorial judgement and work ethic.

Nicola Weir at the BBC

Joining BBC Northern Ireland

Nicola joined the BBC freelance register in May 2004, initially working on the radio news desk. Her talent and adaptability quickly saw her contributing to major BBC NI programmes, including:

• Talkback

• Good Morning Ulster

• Evening Extra

District Reporter and Multiplatform Journalist

In 2008, she became a District Reporter for BBC Newsline, working extensively in the field. She was known for operating as a one-person reporting unit, filming, recording, writing, and editing her own stories.

From 2011 onwards, Nicola worked as a Senior Broadcast Journalist and later an On Air Multiplatform Journalist, contributing across television, radio, and online platforms. Her work spanned:

• BBC Newsline

• Radio current affairs

• Digital news output

• Bulletin desks

Nicola Weir BBC Radio Ulster and Rural Broadcasting

One of the most recognisable phases of Nicola’s career was her work in rural broadcasting.

Farming Matters and Countryside

Nicola became a prominent voice on BBC Radio Ulster’s Farming Matters, later rebranded as Countryside. The programme focused on farming, agriculture, and rural life in Northern Ireland.

She regularly travelled across the countryside, visiting farms, meeting rural communities, and reporting on issues that mattered to people outside urban centres. This work earned her strong respect among farming audiences and helped build her public profile.

Stephen Nolan Show and High-Profile Reporting

Nicola also worked as a reporter for the Stephen Nolan Show, one of Northern Ireland’s most high-profile and demanding current affairs programmes. This role placed her at the centre of major political, social, and public-interest stories, requiring resilience, accuracy, and professionalism under pressure.

Leaving the BBC After 21 Years

In June 2025, Nicola Weir made the significant decision to leave the BBC after 21 years. Rather than stepping away from public service entirely, she transitioned into a new communications role while also pursuing a long-standing passion for health and fitness.

Communications Officer at the Police Ombudsman’s Office

Nicola Weir joined the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland as a Communications Officer in June 2025. In this role, she applies her extensive media experience to public-sector communications, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement.

Her background in journalism gives her a strong understanding of how news works, making her a valuable asset in a role that requires clarity, transparency, and public trust.

Studio N: Nicola Weir’s Fitness Venture

Launching Studio N

In the same month she joined PONI, Nicola Weir launched Studio N, a fitness studio located in Cullybackey, near Ballymena. This move marked her entry into entrepreneurship and the fitness industry.

Qualifications and Classes

Nicola is a:

• Qualified Pilates Instructor

• Qualified Fitness Instructor

• Qualified Spin Instructor

• Sports Nutritionist

Studio N offers a wide range of classes, including:

• Spin

• Pilates

• Weights

• Cardio

• Core training

• Boxing-inspired fitness

• Step classes

• Small group training

Her approach focuses on inclusive, supportive fitness for people of different abilities and fitness levels.

Nicola Weir Twitter and Social Media Presence

Nicola Weir is active on Twitter under the handle @nweir1. Her profile reflects her professional identity, highlighting her work in communications, fitness, and her former BBC career. She uses the platform to share commentary, professional updates, and community-focused content.

Farming – Nicola Weir

She also runs a dedicated media page titled “Farming – Nicola Weir”, focused on rural and farming issues in Northern Ireland. This page reflects her long-standing connection to agricultural journalism.

Studio N Fitness

Her fitness work is represented through Studio N’s social media presence, where class updates, training information, and studio news are shared with the local community.

Why Nicola Weir’s Story Matters

Nicola’s journey is notable because it demonstrates:

• Career longevity in a demanding industry

• Successful transition from journalism to public-sector communications

• Entrepreneurial courage in launching a new business

• Continued public engagement through fitness and rural advocacy

Her career reflects adaptability, resilience, and a strong connection to Northern Ireland’s people and places.

Quick Info

Conclusion

Nicola Weir is far more than a former BBC broadcaster. She is a communications professional, fitness entrepreneur, wife, mother, and community-focused figure who has successfully reinvented her career while building on decades of experience.

From BBC Radio Ulster to Studio N in Ballymena, and from newsroom deadlines to spin classes, Nicola’s story is one of evolution, energy, and purpose — a profile that continues to resonate with audiences across Northern Ireland and beyond.

FAQs

1. How old is Nicola Weir?

Nicola Weir was 44 in April 2020, according to major Northern Ireland publications. This places her at approximately 50 years old as of 2026.

2. Is Nicola Weir married?

Yes. Nicola Weir is married to Peter Weir, a detail confirmed in published interviews.

3. Does Nicola Weir have children?

Yes. She has two children, named George and Imogen, whom she has spoken about publicly with pride.

4. Did Nicola Weir work for BBC Radio Ulster?

Yes. Nicola Weir was a long-serving broadcaster with BBC Radio Ulster, where she presented and reported on programmes including Farming Matters (later Countryside), alongside wider radio current-affairs work.

5. Is Nicola Weir still with the BBC?

No. Nicola Weir left the BBC in 2025 after 21 years and now works as a Communications Officer with the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, while also running Studio N, her fitness studio in Ballymena.

NewsDipper.co.uk