Donna Air

Donna Air

Donna Air in 2013
Born 2 August 1979
Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom
Occupation Actress, television presenter
Website
www.donnaair.com

Donna Air (born 2 August 1979) is an English television presenter and actress.

Early life, education and career

Air was born in Newcastle upon Tyne. Following St Oswald's Primary School in Gosforth, she attended Sacred Heart Convent School on Fenham Hall Drive.[1] Air then graduated from Gosforth Academy, also in Newcastle upon Tyne, where, as a former pupil,[2] she attended the drama school at First Act Theatre. Her fellow students at First Act included Jill Halfpenny and Anthony McPartlin.

Donna started her career age 10 on the hit CBBC series Byker Grove. She then became part of pop duo Crush touring the United States, Japan and South East Asia, returned to the United Kingdom after signing to MTV hosting daily live show - MTV Select, and later became a presenter of several shows, including, The Big Breakfast for Channel 4, TFI Friday with Huey Morgan (from Fun Lovin' Criminals), Popstars: The Rivals Extra for ITV (the show that created Girls Aloud), to name a few. She has also acted in many television dramas, most recently Hollyoaks and Hotel Babylon, BBC TV comedy Operation Good Guys, Catherine Cookson's six-parter A Dinner of Herbs, and Lynda La Plante's Supply and Demand. Air appeared in the films Still Crazy (1998), The Mummy Returns, and Bad Day[3] amongst others.

Air presented on Five's early evening, magazine programme Live from Studio Five, alongside regular presenter of the programme, Kate Walsh. Air is also is a brand ambassador for Health Lottery, Burberry, Next, Westfield, Olay, Cadbury's and Triumph .

Donna has worked with the Soil Association, promoting organic milk, launching the Nursery Food report at Downing Street, and edited the Grown in Britain cookbook.

In January 2013, Air came 4th in the ITV programme, Splash! She replaced Jennifer Metcalfe, shortly after Jennifer's split from Dancing On Ice pro Sylvain Longchambon.[4]

Personal life

Air was in a long-term relationship with Damian Aspinall, who is the step-grandson of Sir George Osborne. Damian's father John Aspinall was the owner of Aspers, an entertainment company. Aspinall and Air's daughter, Freya Air Aspinall was born in Westminster, London in September 2003.[5] Air and Aspinall are no longer a couple.[6] Prior to their breakup the couple caused a stir by announcing their intention to place their baby daughter in the care of a gorilla in a ritual Aspinall's older children had already taken part in.[7]

Since February 2013, Air has been in a relationship with businessman James Middleton, brother of the Duchess of Cambridge.[8]

Air supports the Macmillan Cancer Support, Race for Life, Sport Relief and Jeans for Genes charities.[9]

In March 2012, Air was acquitted of a charge of obtaining a parking permit by false representation; the case was heard at Isleworth Crown Court.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Swann, Yvonne. "Me & my school photo: Donna Air remembers her love of netball and her first break on TV". UK Daily Mail, October 29, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Chronicle Live: Number one for news, opinion, sport & celebrity gossip". Icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk. 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  3. ↑ "Donna Air: I'm more confident now". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2014-06-22. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  4. ↑ "Donna Air replaces Jennifer Metcalfe in Splash! heat three line-up | Splash!". Tellymix.co.uk. 2013-02-09. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  5. ↑ "Births England and Wales 1984-2006". Findmypast. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
  6. ↑ "Donna Air splits from £40m zoo tycoon - Showbiz - London Evening Standard". Thisislondon.co.uk. 2007-07-08. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  7. ↑ "UK | England | Kent | TV star's baby handed to gorillas". BBC News. 2003-11-10. Retrieved 2013-04-22.
  8. ↑ "Yes, we are an item: James Middleton and Donna Air go public - Celebrity News - Showbiz - London Evening Standard". Standard.co.uk. 2013-04-26. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ Eleanor Harding (March 29, 2012). "Donna Air cleared of parking permit fraud after she told jurors she was too busy to read terms and conditions". Daily Mail Online.

External links