Penny Junor

Penny Junor spent almost as long writing and broadcasting about consumer affairs and travel and prior to this, spent many years interviewing and profile-writing in the national press. She also presented programmes about health, families and lifestyle.

Penny Junor has been writing well-respected biographies for over 20 years which include collaborations with Patti Boyd (2007), Sir Cliff Richard (2008) and Shaun Ellis (2009) alongside names from within the Royal family. In 2002 Penny wrote ‘Home Truths: Life around my Father’, and her latest book, ‘The Firm’, was published in April 2005. Penny is also much in demand as a commentator on Royal events – most recently, the Royal wedding taking place in April 2011.

An experienced live presenter, her TV credits include the ‘Travel Show’ and the consumer programme, ‘4 What It’s Worth’, ‘The Afternoon Show’. She has recently researched and presented two series for BBC Radio Scotland, covering such diverse subjects as ‘Famous News editors’ facing a personal crisis and following the children of famous parents.

As a journalist Penny has written for most national newspapers and had regular consumer columns in Private Eye’ and ‘Business Traveller Magazine’, a current affairs column in ‘Today’ newspaper, and regular interview slots in the ‘London Evening News’ and ‘Evening Standard’. She was director of the John Lewis Partnership, responsible for the journalism and public relations within the department store and Waitrose.

She is a committed vegetarian, a Samaritan volunteer and patron of Women’s Health Concern and Cirencester Eating Disorders Association. Her other interests include motorcycles; she was an RAC/ACU Instructor, cars and cooking amongst others. She is married to James Leith and has four children.