Neil has shared a glimpse into his personal life with fans (Image: GB News)
Scottish presenter and author is best known for hosting Coast on the and now presenting his own show on GB News, but he prefers to keep out of the spotlight.
However, the star once gave fans a glimpse into his life off-screen as he reflected on his tough childhood and family life.
Living in Stirling, Scotland, with his wife Trudi, whom he married in 2009, and their three kids, as well as their two Irish Wolfhounds, Neil’s life is a far cry from his earlier years.
Before making a name for himself in journalism, he worked as an archaeologist.
In a candid article for The Times, the 57-year-old admitted to struggling to find the right birthday gift for his 13-year-old son, who seemed to have everything – game consoles and a mobile phone – things Neil didn’t have growing up.
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The Scottish TV star has been candid about his tough upbringing (Image: neiloliver/X)
He admitted: “When I was 12 I had no phone, of course, but I had a phone number — which is to say my mum had me memorise our home telephone number in case of emergencies. Neil added: “We had one television in the house — black and white, and with valves that needed warming up.
“Anyone planning to watch anything had to remember to switch the thing on a full five minutes before the scheduled viewing time. Remember when the sound came on first, before the picture? Try describing that to a 12-year-old with an iPhone.”
The TV presenter joked that he doesn’t want to spoil his children by driving a flashy car, though he knows they’d much rather he drove a Tesla.
Neil gushed over his childhood sweetheart wife (Image: neiloliver/x)
“Our kids pretend to be sanguine about it, but I know that in their hearts they would prefer to be dropped off at school from this year’s Tesla, or maybe a Range Rover like almost everyone else. That is not happening.”
Neil once paid tribute to his wife on social media, admitting she is the “greatest gift” in a heartfelt post as he shares a throwback snap of the couple. He wrote: “It’s my birthday. That my wife still puts up with me is my greatest gift.”
Oliver hosted several history documentaries for the , including A History of Scotland (2008) and Sacred Wonders of Britain (2013). In 2012, he wrote and presented Vikings, a three-part series on the legendary warriors.
In April 2021, he joined GB News as a presenter, where he now hosts a weekly current affairs and interview programme.