Some names you hear on TV and think, “I should know more about that person.” Nana Akua is one of those — a familiar face on GB News, a columnist, a fitness advocate, and recently, a woman whose engagement announcement made headlines for a reason she didn’t entirely plan. This article walks through her real name, her career shift from the BBC to GB News, her Ghanaian heritage, and the public details of her engagement to a former convicted gangster from Belfast.
Full name: Nana Akua Amoatemaa-Appiah · Date of birth: 19 July 1971 · Occupation: Television presenter, journalist · Known for: GB News host, Daily Mail columnist · Nationality: British
Quick snapshot
- Full name: Nana Akua Amoatemaa-Appiah (Nana Akua official website)
- Born 19 July 1971 in Newcastle upon Tyne (Nana Akua official website)
- Joined GB News in summer 2021 (GB News)
- Engaged on 28 February 2025 to Stephen Gillen (GB News)
- Fiancé’s full name not publicly confirmed beyond Stephen Gillen
- Whether Nana Akua has any children
- Natural hair status (publicly wears wigs)
- Details of her gymnastic background
- 19 July 1971: Born in Newcastle upon Tyne
- Early 2000s: Worked as BBC regional journalist
- Summer 2021: Joined GB News
- 28 February 2025: Engagement announced live on GB News
- Wedding planned for “next summer” (2026) (Daily Mail)
- Continues hosting weekend show on GB News (Daily Mail)
- Ongoing Daily Mail column (Daily Mail)
Five key facts, one pattern: Nana Akua’s public identity is a mix of confirmed biography and deliberate privacy — a balance that keeps curiosity alive.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Nana Akua Amoatemaa-Appiah |
| Born | 19 July 1971, Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Ethnicity | British with Ghanaian heritage |
| Occupation | Television presenter, journalist, columnist |
| Known for | GB News host, Daily Mail columnist |
What is Nana Akua’s real name?
Nana Akua is a stage name; her full legal name is Nana Akua Amoatemaa-Appiah. According to her Nana Akua official website, she was born on 19 July 1971 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Her parents emigrated from Ghana in the 1960s, and the family moved to the United States when she was 11 years old.
Where was Nana Akua born?
- Newcastle upon Tyne, England (Nana Akua official website)
- Date: 19 July 1971
The implication: her British identity is rooted in the North East, not London — a detail that often surprises viewers who assume she’s from the capital.
What ethnicity is Nana Akua?
Nana Akua is British with Ghanaian heritage. Her official biography online states her parents came from Ghana. Third-party profiles describe her as Ghanaian-British (Media Grid UK).
What is Nana Akua’s heritage?
- Ghanaian parents, British born and raised
- Moved to the US at age 11, studied Business and Finance at university
The pattern: her multicultural background is a recurring theme in her public commentary on identity and integration.
Has Nana Akua got any children?
There is no publicly confirmed information that Nana Akua has children. A third-party profile on Media Grid UK claims she has at least one child, but that claim is low-confidence and not backed by any primary source. Her official website and interviews do not mention children.
Does Nana Akua talk about her family?
- She has not publicly discussed having children.
- Her engagement to Stephen Gillen is her first public long-term relationship.
The catch: without a primary source, the child claim remains unverified — a classic gap in low-confidence reporting.
Was Nana Akua a gymnast?
Nana Akua is known as a fitness expert under the brand LadyXsize, but there is no evidence of a professional gymnastics career. Her official biography page does not mention gymnastics; it highlights her work in TV and fitness coaching.
What is Nana Akua’s fitness background?
- Fitness expert and columnist, not a competitive gymnast.
- Often shares workout tips and healthy living advice on social media.
The pattern: the question likely arises from her toned appearance and the “LadyXsize” brand, but the facts don’t support a gymnastics origin.
Who is Nana Akua getting married to?
On 28 February 2025, Nana Akua announced her engagement live on GB News. Her fiancé is Stephen Gillen, a former convicted gangster from Belfast. The proposal took place in Venice, Italy.
How did Nana Akua and her fiancé meet?
- They first met when Akua interviewed Gillen on GB News about two and a half years before the engagement (GB News).
- Gillen’s criminal past was covered in the interview; the relationship developed afterward.
What is known about Nana Akua’s fiancé?
- Stephen Gillen is a former gangster from Belfast who has turned his life around.
- He is now a business owner and motivational speaker.
- Akua’s personal website describes him as a “tough guy” with a reformed past.
The trade-off: Akua’s public relationship with a former criminal has drawn both curiosity and criticism, but she has framed it as a story of redemption and love.
Nana Akua, a GB News presenter who often discusses crime and justice, is now engaged to a man who once lived on the other side of the law. The couple’s narrative is built on transformation, not denial.
Timeline
- 19 July 1971: Born in Newcastle upon Tyne.
- Early 2000s: Worked as a regional journalist for BBC (Nana Akua official website).
- Summer 2021: Joined GB News (GB News).
- 28 February 2025: Announced engagement to Stephen Gillen (
Additional sources
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.