Marina Purkiss

Marina Purkiss
Born
Marina Nigrelli
OccupationPolitical commentator

Marina Purkiss (née Nigrelli) is a British political commentator who rose to prominence in 2022 with commentaries on politics and current affairs on mainstream television, including Jeremy Vine on Channel 5 and Good Morning Britain on ITV. Her commentary has attracted attention on social media and in newspapers.[1]

Biography

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Purkiss was born in the UK to Italian parents. She grew up in Harrow, and made an early appearance on a BBC website as an inconsolable fan after Italy were knocked out of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in the round of 16.[2] Purkiss graduated from the University of Portsmouth with a degree in marketing in 2007, and then worked as a marketing manager for 15 years.[3][4]

Purkiss first became politically engaged in 2016, following the EU referendum,[5] using social media as a platform for commentary. Purkiss has over 400,000 followers on Twitter, is a contributor to Byline Times, and co-hosts a 'politically charged (but fun)' podcast, The Trawl, with Jemma Forte.[6]

In April 2023, a discussion between Purkiss and Conservative politician Jacob Rees Mogg on GB News went viral. She later stated that she would never appear on GB News again.[7][8] Later that week, Purkiss was a guest for the first time on the topical BBC TV panel game Have I Got News For You.[9]

Personal life

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Purkiss is married to Ben Purkiss, a former professional footballer. They have two children and live in London.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Warrington, James (24 May 2024). "Britain's cottage industry of Left-wing punditry may soon be redundant". The Telegraph – via Telegraph.co.uk.
  2. ^ "Tears in Italian Soho". BBC News. 18 June 2002.
  3. ^ https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinalauren/?originalSubdomain=uk
  4. ^ Pearse, Justin (19 August 2020). "My Digital Hero: Marina Nigrelli, Adobe". New Digital Age.
  5. ^ "Marina Purkiss | Political Commentator, Writer & Campaigner". Marina Purkiss.
  6. ^ "Oxford Debate. Trust, Corruption, and Politicians | Oxford Literary Festival". OxfordLiteraryFestival.org.
  7. ^ Lewis, Ffion (26 April 2023). "Jacob Rees Mogg 'destroyed' by Marina Purkiss in interview". WalesOnline.
  8. ^ "Jacob Rees-Mogg Clashes With His Own GB News Guest Over The 'Disgusting' Government". HuffPost UK. 26 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Have I Got News For You Series 65, Episode 3". British Comedy Guide.
  10. ^ Gohil, Neha (22 October 2021). "British-Italian woman slams 'chaos' after being held up at Border Force". MyLondon.
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