Sheila McClennon was born and grew up on the Wirral on Merseyside and went into local TV and radio after studying for a degree in English, Drama and American Studies at Manchester University.

She joined BBC Radio Shropshire for its launch in 1985 and presented the Breakfast Show before moving to London, where she had a most enjoyable year taking famous people out to lunch before they appeared on Wogan. She presented Primetime on BBC1 for three years and was a reporter for Carlton TV.

Sheila was a reporter for various Radio 4 programmes before she presented her first Woman’s Hour six days before her daughter was born. She also presents You and Yours and has worked on Sunday, The Message and Radio 5 Live’s After Hours.

Now back on the Wirral, Sheila lives by the sea with her husband and two children. She says, “I often pinch myself because one day I’m dragging reluctant kids round the supermarket and the next chatting to Oprah Winfrey. Or meeting Jacqui Jackson, the single mother to three girls and four autistic boys who is also studying for her Masters degree.  Her joy in family life was inspirational. Woman’s Hour keeps me on my toes and is a constant challenge and joy to work on”