Holly Hamilton is a well-known face as the host of BBC's beloved weekend programme, BBC Sunday Morning Live. Hailing from Greyabbey in Co Down, Holly has carved out an impressive career in journalism and TV presenting, taking her across the UK and Europe.
Alongside Sean Fletcher, she's become a familiar presence on BBC Sunday Morning Live, engaging viewers with ethical debates on current issues.
But there's more to Holly than just her TV persona; she leads an active life off-screen with her family, including her well-known husband.
So, what's the story behind Holly's life when the cameras stop rolling?
Holly Hamilton's early life and career
Holly's journey began in Greyabbey, Co Down, where she was nurtured by her former journalist mother, Kim, and father, David. With aspirations of journalism sparked by her mother's career at Newtownards Chronicle, Holly's own path started in radio in Dundee after university.
A newspaper editor once advised her to seize every chance in journalism—a tip that proved fruitful, reports Belfast Live.
Despite her Irish origins, Holly's professional life kicked off in Scotland, where she spent several years with Scottish Television (STV), becoming one of the original news presenters on their flagship political show "Scotland Tonight".
Her resume boasts reporting stints at Wimbledon and various sporting events for BBC Sport, and she's also graced the screens of BBC Breakfast, the Victoria Derbyshire programme on BBC Two, and the BBC News channel.
Holly Hamilton has been gracing our screens as the co-host of BBC Sunday Morning Live, alongside Sean Fletcher, since 2023.
'Terrifying' flight during storm
In a hair-raising incident in January 2024, Holly found herself in the midst of a 'terrifying' aborted landing attempt during the fierce Storm Isha.
She was on a flight from Heathrow to Belfast when the storm hit, forcing the plane to divert to Manchester Airport after a failed landing attempt in Belfast. Recounting the ordeal on social media, Holly wrote: "Flight from Heathrow to Belfast City just gave up trying to land after a pretty terrifying attempt.. now en route to Manchester."
She added: "Not sure how much better the weather is there but hopefully stand a better chance."
The stormy weather forced Holly to spend the night in Manchester before she could catch a flight back to Belfast.
Earlier this year, the BBC presenter Holly Hamilton tried to look on the bright side after getting stuck in a lift during Storm Eowyn.
She took to social media to share a picture of herself sitting cross-legged on the floor of a lift. The star leaned her head on her hand as she gave the camera a tired look. She captioned the post: "So it seems I’ll be weathering the rest of the storm in the BBC lift which has broken down with me inside.
"The good news is, it was on the way back from the vending machine so I have a Wispa. And at least it’s not windy in here."
She was eventually rescued soon after.
Who is Holly Hamilton married to and where do they live?
In her personal life, Holly is happily married to Connor Phillips, a well-known DJ. The couple tied the knot in Portugal in June 2018, a year after Connor popped the question at Edinburgh Castle.
Sharing her joy on her wedding day, Holly posted a photo with the caption: "I've got a husband.. #MrsPhillips. Best day of my life surrounded by my amazing friends and family... and @connorphillipstv," The pair first crossed paths while working together at Downtown Radio and Cool FM, before both securing roles with the BBC. Connor currently presents shows on Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Ulster.
They share a three year old son, Fionn. Professionally, they've partnered for projects such as co-presenting BBC Children in Need 2023 in Northern Ireland.
Currently, Hamilton resides in Belfast with her family, enjoying the city's outdoor spaces, from woodland strolls to time in parks and embarking on vacations. She occasionally offers a peek into her life via social media, including snapshots of her contemporary family abode.
Belfast's charm, she believes, lies primarily in its people: "The people. I've lived in many places across the UK and the one thing that stands out is that there's no one quite like the people of Belfast - where you can guarantee a total stranger will put a smile on your face."
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