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Suzanne Virdee

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Suzanne Virdee
In 2008
Born
Suzanne Nicole Virdee

(1969-10-16) 16 October 1969 (age 55)
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)Broadcaster, journalist, newsreader
Years active1987–present
EmployerITN (2016–present)
SpouseAndrew Fox

Suzanne Nicole Virdee (born 16 October 1969 in Solihull, Warwickshire, now the West Midlands) is a British journalist and television presenter, working on a freelance basis with UK news organisation ITN.

Early life

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Virdee was born on 16 October 1969 in Solihull, Warwickshire, now the West Midlands, to an Indian father and an English mother and grew up in Edgbaston.[1][2][3] She was educated at Edgbaston's Park Grove School and studied at Mander Portman Woodward College.[4]

Career

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Virdee became a journalist at the age of 18, working as a trainee reporter at the Solihull Times in her home town. She passed her journalism exams and switched to television journalism, working for Central News in Birmingham. Virdee went on to work for the Sunday Mercury and the Birmingham Mail (then the Birmingham Evening Mail) before a 16-month stint with BBC WM.

She returned to Central News as a reporter, presenter and producer before joining the BBC's Midlands Today programme in April 2001, presenting late night bulletins before becoming a main presenter a year later, alongside Nick Owen. Virdee has also worked as a relief presenter for BBC Breakfast.

On 29 March 2012, Virdee left Midlands Today after announcing she was unable to sign a five-month contract to continue presenting the programme.[5] The BBC took Virdee off air two days earlier than planned after she released a press statement about her departure.[6]

In August 2016, she joined ITN as a news correspondent for the ITV Lunchtime News and early newsreader for ITV News London. On 25 May 2017 she made her debut fronting short updates for 5 News and covered bulletins for ITV news.

Personal life

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Virdee is married to photographer Andrew Fox. She lives in Redditch, Worcestershire.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "The Week: Sunshine Suzanne is still smiling. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Suzanne Virdee, A Girl's Guide To Being Awesome!". birmingham.livingmag.co.uk. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  3. ^ Officer, Communications. "To Our New Women's Empowerment Ambassador: Suzanne Virdee – RES". Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  4. ^ Young, Graham; Updated (12 October 2005). "Newsreader offered top London role". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  5. ^ Suzanne Virdee quits Midlands Today in contract row Express & Star, 29 March 2012
  6. ^ Suzanne Virdee leaves BBC Midlands Today, BBC News, 29 March 2012
  7. ^ Bains, Sanjeeta; Updated (15 January 2016). "Suzanne Virdee's fabulous places in Birmingham". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
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