Kirsten O’Brien, the well-loved TV presenter known for her decade-long role on CBBC’s SMart, recently opened up about her financial challenges, 

detailing the difficult steps she and her husband took to manage their finances during uncertain times. 

Best known for hosting the arts program alongside her late co-star Mark Speight, Kirsten’s career has taken several turns since she left the show in 2009. 

Now a freelancer in the TV industry, she hosts BBC Radio Berkshire’s mid-morning program, but it’s been a tough road, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline in 2021, Kirsten candidly admitted that her finances had reached a breaking point, something she had never experienced before. 

“Now is actually the most difficult financial time in my life,” she said. 

“My husband Mark and I both work in the arts – he is a TV director – and the uncertainty of freelance work has always been there. Usually, even if there were gaps, we would find work again after a month or so. But during the pandemic, that didn’t happen.”

For the first time ever, Kirsten and Mark, both of whom rely on freelance work, were unable to find consistent income. As a result, they faced a stark financial reality that forced them to reassess how they managed their household. “We’re managing to pay our bills but it takes a lot more thought now – and budgeting,” she explained. “We’ve had to move money from here to there to cover different payments.”

The radio host shared how the pandemic highlighted just how precarious their finances had become. The couple had never been forced to examine their spending in such detail before, but with a family to support, they had no choice but to make adjustments. “For the first time ever, we had to scrutinize our incomings and outgoings to understand how our finances worked and how much we needed to make every month,” she said. This led to some tough decisions, such as cutting back on unnecessary expenses. By switching energy suppliers and changing their internet provider, they were able to reduce their bills and eliminate frivolous costs.

Despite these challenges, Kirsten and Mark found a way to make it through. Her husband, Mark, who was working as a TV director, secured a role as the series director of The Great Pottery Throw Down on Channel 4, which brought in much-needed income. Kirsten’s reflections on their journey highlight the resilience they displayed during such a financially uncertain period.

In the interview, Kirsten also reflected on her earlier career and the “silly money” she earned during her time working at Butlins in the mid-1990s. Just before her presenting role on SMart, Kirsten worked at the popular resort, performing shows at all three Butlins locations every Saturday from May to October. She was paid £750 per performance, which, according to her, was “equivalent to about £1,500 today.”

Her work at Butlins provided a financial foundation that allowed her to focus on her career in television. She was able to save her wages, placing them directly into a savings account, and even managed to purchase a flat in Camden in 1997. “By fluke, I bought at absolutely the right time – the bottom of the market,” she said. Kirsten put down a £20,000 deposit on a £125,000 flat, which she later renovated and turned into a two-bedroom property. Today, that property is worth around £500,000, and Kirsten rents it out as a source of passive income.

Kirsten’s ability to navigate both the highs and lows of her career and finances is a testament to her resilience and forward-thinking approach. Although the financial uncertainty during the pandemic presented new challenges, Kirsten and Mark’s experience also highlighted the importance of adaptability and careful planning in navigating life’s unpredictable twists.

As a freelancer in an ever-changing industry, Kirsten’s story serves as an inspiration for many who face similar struggles in balancing career, family, and financial security. Despite the ups and downs, she remains committed to both her family and her passion for the arts, embracing new opportunities as they come.

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