Ulrika Jonsson: TV Career, Family and Public Life
The inspiring journey of the Swedish-British presenter from weather broadcasting to Gladiators, Eurovision, writing and reality television
Introduction
Ulrika Jonsson is a Swedish-British television presenter, writer, author and media personality. She became a familiar face on British television after beginning her broadcasting career as a weather presenter on TV-am.
Her national fame grew when she joined ITV’s Gladiators in 1992. She later became a popular team captain on the BBC comedy programme Shooting Stars and co-hosted the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest with Terry Wogan.
Her career has moved through live television, entertainment shows, reality programmes, newspaper columns and books. She has also become known for speaking openly about motherhood, relationships, ageing, mental health and the pressures faced by women in the media.
Readers interested in more carefully researched public-figure stories can explore the latest profiles on TopicMint.
Who Is Ulrika Jonsson?
Eva Ulrika Jonsson is a television presenter and writer who was born in Sollentuna, Sweden, on 16 August 1967.
She is 58 years old as of 23 July 2026. She will celebrate her 59th birthday on 16 August 2026.
Although she was born and spent her early childhood in Sweden, she moved to Britain when she was 12. She later built almost her entire professional career in British television and journalism.
She is best known for:
- Presenting the weather on TV-am
- Hosting ITV’s original Gladiators
- Appearing as a team captain on Shooting Stars
- Co-hosting Eurovision in 1998
- Winning Celebrity Big Brother in 2009
- Writing newspaper columns and books
News UK describes her as a presenter, author and television personality who first rose to prominence through weather broadcasting. Its official announcement about Ulrika Jonsson also highlights her work on Gladiators, Shooting Stars and other major television programmes.
Ulrika Jonsson Quick Bio
| Detail | Verified information |
|---|---|
| Full birth name | Eva Ulrika Jonsson |
| Professional name | Ulrika Jonsson |
| Date of birth | 16 August 1967 |
| Age | 58 years old as of 23 July 2026 |
| Birthplace | Sollentuna, Stockholm County, Sweden |
| Nationality | Swedish-British |
| Profession | Television presenter, writer, author and media personality |
| Famous for | Gladiators, Shooting Stars and Eurovision 1998 |
| Television career beginning | TV-am weather presenter |
| Children | Four |
| Major reality achievement | Winner of Celebrity Big Brother 2009 |
| Published autobiography | Honest |
| Published novel | The Importance of Being Myrtle |
| Main Instagram username | @ulrikajonssonofficial |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
Early Life in Sweden
Ulrika spent the first 12 years of her life in Sweden. Her parents separated when she was young, and this family change strongly affected her childhood.
Her mother moved to Britain while Ulrika initially remained in Sweden with her father, Bo, who worked as a driving instructor. She later moved to Buckinghamshire to live with her mother and stepfather.
The move created a major change in her life. She had to leave her familiar home, adapt to another country and build a new life in Britain. She has said that separation from her father caused emotional pain and contributed to feelings of abandonment.
These early experiences later influenced how she understood relationships, family security and motherhood.
Early Interest in Writing
Her interest in writing began during childhood when her father brought home a typewriter.
She started creating stories, including stories connected with horse riding. Writing eventually became an important way for her to organise her thoughts and express difficult emotions.
She originally wanted to become an actress. However, her mother encouraged her to develop practical office skills. She trained for secretarial work and entered the professional world before receiving her first broadcasting opportunity.
This combination of practical training, confidence and communication skills later helped her move from an office position into live television.
Beginning of Her Television Career
Before becoming a presenter, Ulrika worked as a secretary and personal assistant at TV-am.
Her work brought her into contact with senior television professionals. She was eventually given an opportunity to appear on screen as a weather presenter.
In 1989, she began presenting weather reports on TV-am’s Good Morning Britain. She also delivered weather reports for the Swedish television channel TV3 from London.
Weather broadcasting required her to explain information clearly while appearing calm and confident during live television. It provided the foundation for the entertainment career that followed.
The journey from weather presenting to major television reporting can also be seen in the career of British ITV journalist Martin Stew, who similarly used weather broadcasting experience to build a wider media career.
Breakthrough With Gladiators
Ulrika’s biggest early career breakthrough arrived in 1992 when she became a presenter of ITV’s Gladiators.
The programme featured powerful athletes competing in physical challenges against a group of professional performers known as the Gladiators. It became one of Britain’s most popular Saturday-night entertainment programmes during the 1990s.
She presented the show most famously alongside former footballer John Fashanu. Her confident presenting style, humour and ability to manage fast-moving studio action helped make her one of the programme’s most recognisable figures.
Gladiators transformed her from a weather presenter into a national entertainment personality. It remains one of the television programmes most closely connected with her name.
Shooting Stars and Comedy Success
Another important part of her career was Shooting Stars, the unusual BBC comedy panel show created by Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer.
Ulrika appeared as a team captain and became part of the programme’s strange sketches, unpredictable questions and deliberately confusing humour.
The role showed a different side of her personality. Instead of simply reading information or controlling a traditional television format, she allowed herself to become part of the joke.
Her willingness to take part in the show’s unusual comedy helped her move beyond the image of a polished mainstream presenter. She returned when the programme was revived in 2009.
Hosting Eurovision 1998
One of her most important international assignments came in 1998 when she co-presented the Eurovision Song Contest with legendary broadcaster Terry Wogan.
The event was held at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham after the United Kingdom had won the previous year’s competition.
Presenting Eurovision required careful preparation, live communication and the ability to manage an event watched by millions of viewers across Europe.
The official Eurovision record confirms that Terry Wogan and Ulrika hosted the Birmingham contest. This appearance remains one of the biggest live-broadcasting achievements of her career.
Other Major Television Work
Following her success on Gladiators and Shooting Stars, she received several other major presenting opportunities.
Her television work included:
- The National Lottery Draws
- The Royal Variety Performance
- Miss World 1999
- Dog Eat Dog
- The Joy of Text
- Home on Their Own
- BingoLotto
- Techno Games
- Who’s Bluffing Who?
She also conducted interviews with important political figures, including former prime minister John Major and former chancellor Gordon Brown.
These assignments demonstrated that she could work across entertainment, quizzes, international events, interviews and live broadcasts.
Reality Television Career
Ulrika later became a regular participant in British reality and competition programmes.
In January 2009, she entered the Celebrity Big Brother house. Although she faced repeated nominations from other contestants, she remained in the competition and eventually won the public vote.
Her victory was surprising to both viewers and Ulrika herself. It became one of the most important achievements of her reality television career.
She returned for Ultimate Big Brother in 2010 and reached the final.
Her other competition and reality appearances have included:
| Programme | Role or result |
|---|---|
| Comic Relief Does Fame Academy | Contestant |
| Come Dine with Me | Celebrity participant |
| Dancing on Ice | Contestant |
| Celebrity Big Brother | Winner |
| Ultimate Big Brother | Finalist |
| Celebrity MasterChef | Finalist |
| First Dates Hotel | Participant |
| Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins | Recruit |
| Celebs Go Dating | Participant |
Reaching the Celebrity MasterChef final in 2017 also demonstrated her cooking ability, an interest she regularly shares through her public social-media posts.
Career as an Author
Ulrika published her life story, Honest, in 2002. A paperback edition was later published by Pan Macmillan.
The book examined her early life, family experiences, television career, relationships and the personal cost of fame.
Her first novel, The Importance of Being Myrtle, was published by Penguin in 2011. The story follows an older woman beginning to rediscover herself after living with a controlling husband.
Writing allowed Ulrika to move beyond television and communicate with readers through longer, more personal storytelling. Penguin continues to list the novel among its published works.
Newspaper Writing and Commentary
Ulrika has also developed a career as a newspaper columnist.
She previously wrote for the News of the World. In 2021, she joined The Sun as a weekly columnist.
Her columns have covered:
- Relationships
- Motherhood
- Television
- Women’s health
- Ageing
- Celebrity culture
- Social expectations
- Personal responsibility
Her direct style has allowed her to remain part of British public conversation even when she has not been presenting a permanent television programme.
Her interest in women’s experiences and relationships connects with the work explored in TopicMint’s profile of journalist and author Claire Cohen.
Marriages and Children
Ulrika has been married three times and has four children.
She married cameraman John Turnbull in 1990. Their son, Cameron, was born in 1994. The marriage ended in divorce in 1995.
She later had a relationship with German hotel executive Markus Kempen. Their daughter, Bo, was born in 2000.
In 2003, Ulrika married Lance Gerrard-Wright, whom she had met while presenting the dating programme Mr Right. Their daughter, Martha, was born in 2004. The marriage ended in 2006.
She married American advertising professional Brian Monet in 2008. Their son, Malcolm, was born during the same year. Their divorce was publicly confirmed in 2019.
Her four children are Cameron, Bo, Martha and Malcolm.
She has repeatedly argued that children need love, security and reliable parenting rather than a family that simply looks traditional from the outside.
Another British media figure whose public story includes journalism, children and intense interest in her relationships is Caroline Hutton.
Motherhood and Family Values
Motherhood has remained central to Ulrika’s public identity.
She has defended her family against criticism connected with having four children with different fathers. Her position is that the quality of a child’s home is more important than whether the family follows one traditional structure.
She has described her children’s happiness, safety and stability as her main priorities.
Her daughter Bo was born with a serious heart condition and required specialist medical treatment. Ulrika has publicly expressed gratitude to the doctors who helped save her daughter’s life.
These experiences strengthened her interest in children’s health, medical care and family support.
Public Image and Media Pressure
Ulrika became famous during a period when British tabloids closely followed the personal lives of television presenters.
Her relationships often received more coverage than her professional achievements. She has argued that women are judged more harshly than men for dating, divorce, parenting decisions, appearance and ageing.
In interviews, she has discussed the emotional pressure created by fame, negative headlines and constant public judgment.
She has also spoken publicly about depression, menopause, difficult relationships and the challenge of maintaining confidence while growing older in front of an audience.
The Guardian’s detailed interview with Ulrika Jonsson examines how fame, media attention and personal experiences influenced her outlook.
Views on Women and Ageing
Ulrika has publicly described herself as a feminist and has regularly challenged unequal standards applied to women.
She believes women should not be expected to become invisible as they grow older. She has also defended their freedom to dress confidently, discuss relationships and make personal choices without facing harsher judgment than men.
Her public comments often focus on:
- Age discrimination
- Unrealistic beauty standards
- Motherhood and personal freedom
- Emotional honesty
- Women’s independence
- Unequal media treatment
Her willingness to discuss these subjects has helped her remain relevant beyond the television programmes that first made her famous.
Interests and Skills
Her publicly shared interests include:
- Cooking
- Baking
- Gardening
- Writing
- Family life
- Dogs
- Football
She is known as a Manchester United supporter. Her Instagram profile also describes her as a writer, presenter, cook, baker and gardener.
These interests show that her public life now extends beyond traditional television. She communicates directly with followers through personal observations, recipes, family reflections and discussions about ageing.
Major Career Achievements
Her most important confirmed achievements include:
- Building a successful British television career after moving from Sweden
- Becoming a TV-am weather presenter
- Presenting the original ITV version of Gladiators
- Becoming a team captain on Shooting Stars
- Co-hosting the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest
- Presenting the Royal Variety Performance
- Winning Celebrity Big Brother in 2009
- Reaching the final of Celebrity MasterChef
- Publishing an autobiography and a novel
- Developing a long-running newspaper-writing career
- Remaining a recognised media personality for more than three decades
Ulrika Jonsson Career Timeline
| Year | Major development |
|---|---|
| 1967 | Born in Sollentuna, Sweden |
| Around 1979 | Moved to Britain at the age of 12 |
| 1989 | Began presenting weather on TV-am |
| 1991 | Co-presented Who’s Bluffing Who? |
| 1992 | Joined ITV’s Gladiators |
| 1990s | Became a team captain on Shooting Stars |
| 1998 | Co-hosted Eurovision and the Royal Variety Performance |
| 1999 | Co-presented Miss World |
| 2002 | Published Honest |
| 2007 | Competed on Dancing on Ice |
| 2009 | Won Celebrity Big Brother |
| 2010 | Reached the Ultimate Big Brother final |
| 2011 | Published The Importance of Being Myrtle |
| 2017 | Reached the Celebrity MasterChef final |
| 2019 | Appeared on First Dates Hotel |
| 2021 | Joined The Sun as a columnist |
| 2022 | Appeared on Celebs Go Dating |
| 2026 | Remains active as a writer and media personality |
Interesting Facts About Ulrika Jonsson
- Her full birth name is Eva Ulrika Jonsson.
- She began her television career by presenting the weather.
- She moved from Sweden to Britain at the age of 12.
- She co-hosted Eurovision with Terry Wogan.
- She presented Gladiators during its most famous original period.
- She was a regular team captain on Shooting Stars.
- She won Celebrity Big Brother despite being nominated several times.
- She reached the final of Celebrity MasterChef.
- She has written both a personal life story and a novel.
- She is the mother of four children.
- She enjoys gardening, cooking and baking.
- She supports Manchester United.
- Her public career has lasted for more than three decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ulrika Jonsson’s full name?
Her full birth name is Eva Ulrika Jonsson.
How old is Ulrika Jonsson?
She is 58 years old as of 23 July 2026. She was born on 16 August 1967.
Where was she born?
She was born in Sollentuna, Stockholm County, Sweden.
Why is she famous?
She is best known for presenting Gladiators, appearing on Shooting Stars, hosting Eurovision 1998 and winning Celebrity Big Brother.
Is Ulrika Jonsson Swedish or British?
She is commonly described as Swedish-British. She was born in Sweden and built her career in the United Kingdom.
How many children does she have?
She has four children: Cameron, Bo, Martha and Malcolm.
How many times has she been married?
She has been married three times.
Did she win Celebrity Big Brother?
Yes. She won the 2009 series of Celebrity Big Brother.
What books has she written?
She wrote Honest and the novel The Importance of Being Myrtle.
Is she still active?
Yes. She continues to maintain a public presence through writing, interviews, commentary and social media.
Final Words
Ulrika Jonsson developed from a young Swedish immigrant and television secretary into one of Britain’s most recognisable entertainment presenters.
Her career has included weather broadcasting, major Saturday-night television, comedy, international events, reality shows, writing and public commentary.
She has also experienced the difficult side of fame. Personal relationships, motherhood and appearance often attracted intense media attention. Instead of completely withdrawing, she used writing and interviews to speak about the pressures faced by women in public life.
Her story shows how a media career can change over time. She is no longer known only as the presenter from Gladiators. She is also a writer, mother, commentator and public voice on ageing, family and personal independence.
Readers can explore another detailed British public-life story through TopicMint’s profile of former royal official Christopher Geidt .
