Stacey Dooley: From Luton Airport to Grierson Honours

LONDON, 22 January 2026 – Stacey Dooley MBE, the investigative journalist and documentary presenter who rose from a perfume counter at Luton Airport to become one of Britain’s most recognised broadcasters, continues to push boundaries. With a prestigious Grierson Award under her belt and a slate of new projects for the BBC, Dooley’s unique brand of accessible, hard-hitting filmmaking shows no sign of slowing down.

The Accidental Documentarian

Dooley’s career began unexpectedly in 2008 when she was selected as a participant for the BBC Three series Blood, Sweat and T-shirts. Her natural curiosity and relatable demeanour on screen led to her own commission, launching the long-running Stacey Dooley Investigates strand. For over 15 years, she has travelled the globe tackling difficult subjects including sex trafficking, child labour, domestic abuse, and conflict zones, earning a reputation for her empathetic yet direct interviewing style.

Her work has consistently resonated with younger audiences, bringing complex social issues to a demographic often disengaged from traditional current affairs programming. This success was recognised in 2024 when she became the youngest-ever recipient of the Grierson Trustees’ Award, honouring her outstanding contribution to documentary filmmaking.

Recent Projects and Forthcoming Work

The past year has been characteristically busy for Dooley. 2025 saw the release of her third book, Dear Minnie: Conversations with Remarkable Mothers, a heartfelt exploration of motherhood inspired by her two-year-old daughter. She also fronted a powerful two-part documentary, Rape on Trial, which followed survivors through the UK legal system, as well as films on Gypsy communities and shoplifting.

Looking ahead, the BBC has confirmed a new hour-long documentary, Stacey Dooley: Shoplifting, for BBC Three and iPlayer. The film will delve into the UK’s shoplifting epidemic, exploring the reasons behind it and its impact on businesses and staff. This forms part of a broader commitment from the BBC to develop further projects with Dooley.

On television, her popular series Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over aired its fourth series in 2025, while the US version continues to explore unconventional American families.

Life Beyond the Lens

Dooley’s profile reached new heights in 2018 when she won the sixteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing with professional partner Kevin Clifton. The partnership blossomed into a romantic relationship, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Minnie, in January 2023. They have since relocated from London to Liverpool to be closer to family.

In 2024, Dooley expanded her creative repertoire, making her West End stage debut in the thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story at the Gielgud Theatre. She was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2018 Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting.

Stacey Dooley: Key Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Stacey Dooley get her start in television?

Dooley was working at a duty-free perfume counter in Luton Airport when her mother spotted a leaflet seeking fashion-conscious young people for a BBC Three documentary. She applied and was selected for Blood, Sweat and T-shirts in 2008. Her performance led the BBC to offer her her own investigative series.

What is Stacey Dooley’s next documentary?

Dooley is set to front Stacey Dooley: Shoplifting for BBC Three. The documentary, scheduled for 2025, will investigate the rising shoplifting crisis in the UK, exploring the motivations behind it and its impact on retailers and communities.

Is Stacey Dooley still with Kevin Clifton?

Yes. The couple, who met when paired together on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, are in a relationship and have a daughter named Minnie, born in January 2023. They live in Liverpool.