Miriam O'Reilly left school at 17 with a burning ambition to become a journalist. While applying for newspaper apprenticeships she worked at several jobs, including being a runner on the children's TV programme TISWAS.

She eventually talked the editor of the Kidderminster Times in Worcestershire into taking her on as a trainee reporter. After qualifying she joined BBC Radio WM in Birmingham as a news producer.

Over the next 10 years Miriam worked across the BBC as a reporter and producer in news and current affairs including Panorama, and BBC Education co-presenting The Parent Programme. After her second child was born she decided to leave and be a full-time mum.

When she turned 40, Miriam returned to the BBC. During the last seven years she has presented Farming Today, Costing the Earth, File on 4 and BBC 1's Countryfile programme for which she has won the Foreign Press, Royal Television Society and British Environment Media Awards.