Purkiss was born in the UK to Italian parents. She grew up in
Harrow, and made an early appearance on a
BBC website as an inconsolable fan after
Italy were knocked out of the
2002 FIFA World Cup in the round of 16. Purkiss graduated from the
University of Portsmouth with a degree in marketing in 2007, and then worked as a marketing manager for 15 years. Purkiss first became politically engaged in 2016, following the
EU referendum, using social media as a platform for commentary. Purkiss has over 400,000 followers on
Twitter, is a contributor to
Byline Times, and co-hosts a 'politically charged (but fun)' podcast,
The Trawl, with Jemma Forte. In April 2023, a discussion between Purkiss and
Conservative politician
Jacob Rees Mogg on
GB News went viral. She later stated that she would never appear on GB News again. Later that week, Purkiss was a guest for the first time on the topical BBC TV panel game
Have I Got News For You.
Personal life Purkiss is married to
Ben Purkiss, a former professional footballer. They have two children and live in London. She was previously engaged to footballer
Richard Lee with whom she appeared on
Channel 4's
Couples Come Dine With Me on 7 May 2015. ==References==