Kirsty Gallacher posts emotional throwback snaps from running two London Marathons - and reveals heart-wrenching inspiration behind her 2023 effort

Daily Mail​

28-04-2025

Kirsty Gallacher posted a series of emotional throwback snaps from two previous London Marathons to her Instagram on Sunday.
The TV star, 49, posed with her two sons Oscar, 18, and Jude, 14, on the Golden Jubilee Footbridge after the 2023 edition of the charity race.
She wore a fluorescent orange and black tracksuit top and black jogging bottoms with black trainers as she put one arm around each of her proud boys.
Kirsty also shared a snap of her in her white sleeveless marathon top, wearing a silver watch ahead of the event.
Another picture saw her with a friend of hers, Emma Bishop, who suffered from lung cancer and was the inspiration behind her 2023 run before sadly passing away last year.
She also uploaded sweet photos from the 2019 edition, wearing a white sleeveless top for the event as she posed with two pals.
A final snap featured Kirsty flexing her muscles as she raised her medal towards the camera.
The former Sky Sports News presenter penned an emotional caption explaining Emma's impact on her decision to run the race.
She said: 'Another incredible @londonmarathon today & watching it on the TV this year I couldn't but reflect on the two that I took part in, in 2019 & 2023.
'Both for incredibly worthy causes and such powerful experiences but the last one more poignant, for @royalmarsden, because of a special lady @emsbishop. Emma & I met early in 2023, she was battling lung cancer but boy she was a fighter!
'A truly wonderful human being, inspiring so many with her attitude & strength & tenacious fundraising. She also completed the London marathon which was some feat!
'Sadly beautiful Emma lost her battle with cancer at the end of 2024.
'So well done to all those who took part this year & to those who are inspired to do it, but just not sure….. do it!!!!'
It comes after Kirsty shared sweet snaps of her ex-rugby player boyfriend Darren Clayton, 38, as he joined her at work.
The pair have been together for around a year and five months after meeting through their two mutual friends - Gabby and Kenny Logan.
And on Tuesday, Kirsty shared snaps of Darren joining her at the Global studios, where she hosts the Gold Radio drivetime show.
'Take your boyfriend to work day! @goldradio,' Kirsty captioned the snaps, where the smitten couple were also seen smiling at one another.
But Gabby, who hosts Gold Radio podcast The Sports Agents, was quick to make a cheeky comment about the snaps.
'Darren looks like he's putting your ponytail. lovely pic though,' Gabby wrote which prompted a laughing face from Kirsty.
'Pulling not putting! If only I'd worn my glasses' Gabby added, to which Kirsty replied: 'Haha.'
It's been no secret how smitten Kirsty is with Darren, who is a businessman as well as an athlete, after they first spoke to each other while attending a fundraising event.
And last month, Kirsty looked to the future as she admitted that although she never thought she would get married again following her split from Paul Sampson, tying a knot for a second time could be on the cards.
It's been no secret how smitten Kirsty is with Darren, who is a businessman as well as an athlete, after they first spoke to each other while attending a fundraising event
The former GB News host told The Sun: 'We do talk about getting married. Funnily, he's much more into the idea of marriage than I am. I'm very much like: "Do we need that?"
'For him, it's very important to actually have that union and [be able to] say it. And I said: "Well, we can say it. Do we have to do the marriage?"'
She continued: 'I think an engagement is wonderfully romantic and that would do for me. That would be enough, because it's the whole: "I want to be with you forever."'
However, Kirsty made it clear that she's not opposed to the idea and admitted that if Darren wanted to get married, she would.