18 Facts About Kirsten O'Brien

Kirsten Lindsey O'Brien was born on 23 February 1972 and is an English television, radio presenter and actress.

Kirsten O'Brien is best known for her work presenting for the BBC, including the popular CBBC art programme SMart from 1999 to 2009, the CBeebies pre-school art spin-off programme SMarteenies in 2002.

Kirsten O'Brien got her first broadcast experience on the university's student radio station which led to her first job in 1995 at Tyne Tees Television where she made her presenting debut on a children's science programme.

Kirsten O'Brien stayed there for three-and-a-half years during which time she became best known for her partnership with puppet Otis the Aardvark.

Kirsten O'Brien left the CBBC on-air presentation team in 1999 but remained a regular on children's TV and radio.

Kirsten O'Brien co-hosted SMart and its spin-offs SMart on the Road and SMarteenies.

Kirsten O'Brien performed a sketch show during the Edinburgh Fringe in August 2006 entitled Lesley's Lunch Hour - Not During Lunch, And Not Quite An Hour along with double act partner Ruth Bratt.

Kirsten O'Brien has been a guest on Stephen Merchant's on BBC Radio 6 Music, Through the Keyhole and several times on Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive.

Kirsten O'Brien stated on the show that she had been ready to leave SMart since co-presenter Mark Speight's death and felt it was not right to stay.

Kirsten O'Brien then stayed with CBBC to take over as host of game show Gimme a Break.

Kirsten O'Brien took part in a celebrity version of TV show Total Wipeout, which aired on 2 January 2010.

Kirsten O'Brien went on to take wins in the third and sixth episode.

Three wins, together with a draw in the fifth episode meant that Kirsten O'Brien was the overall winner of the series.

Kirsten O'Brien was announced on 12 June 2013 as the co-presenter of Heart Wiltshire's Breakfast programme alongside Ben Atkinson.

In 2023 Kirsten O'Brien became the main presenter of the station's Breakfast Show.

Kirsten O'Brien plays tennis, and has taken part in swimming, abseiling and netball events for charity.

Kirsten O'Brien suffers from asthma and is a keen Middlesbrough FC fan; she has been involved in charity work with the club, including the Premier League's Creating Chances programme.

In September 2017 Kirsten O'Brien tweeted that she had given birth to twins.