Charlotte Cross is a familiar face on ITV News Central and a respected voice on environmental issues across the Midlands. As an Environment Correspondent and presenter, she covers climate change, water, wildlife, conservation and the local issues that shape everyday life. From regional newspapers to national television, she has built a career based on clear journalism, public service and strong human stories.
Born on 6 August 1986, she is 40 years old in 2026. Her professional story continues to grow as she brings the changing environment and the major human issues of the Midlands to television audiences.
Who Is Charlotte Cross?
Charlotte Cross is an English broadcast journalist based in Birmingham and London. She works for ITV News Central, where she presents bulletins and produces reports for both the East and West Midlands.
Her professional interests cover the environment, public services, health, politics, communities and culture. She explains complicated subjects in a direct, accessible way, as seen in her work on river pollution, drought, maternity care and local high streets.
Born on 6 August 1986, she is 40 years old in 2026. She has also become known online for her warm personality, curly hair and lively presence away from the news desk.
Charlotte Cross’s Education and Early Years
From Bromsgrove to Higher Education
Her school years included King Edward VI High School for Girls in Edgbaston and South Bromsgrove High School. She later studied Psychology and Philosophy at the University of Nottingham, completing a joint honours Bachelor of Science degree with First-Class results from 2004 to 2007.
She went on to study Broadcast Journalism at the University of Staffordshire, completing a Master of Arts with Merit from 2012 to 2014. Psychology, philosophy and broadcast training gave her a strong foundation for understanding people, asking thoughtful questions and presenting difficult subjects with care.
The First Step into Journalism
Her professional career began in local newspapers. In January 2008, she joined Bullivant Media as a trainee reporter, gaining experience in gathering facts, meeting local people, writing to a deadline and producing community news.
She later worked for the Bromsgrove Standard and Redditch Standard before joining the Midland News Association in September 2009. At the Express & Star, she progressed from junior reporter to chief reporter and entertainment correspondent. By March 2012, she had responsibility for a flagship edition and fast-moving newsroom coverage.
Building a Career in Regional News
The newspaper years gave Charlotte wide experience in breaking news, court stories, public affairs, entertainment and local campaigns. She coordinated coverage, met daily deadlines and turned developing events into accurate copy within a short time.
As entertainment correspondent, she covered concerts, theatre productions and major shows across Birmingham and the Black Country. She oversaw the music section of The Ticket and covered the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Thames pageant, the Buckingham Palace concert and the 2012 Royal Wedding.
Her achievements included five Story of the Month awards and a nomination for Young Reporter of the Year at the Regional Press Awards in 2011. In 2009, she won Journalism Student of the Year through the City of Wolverhampton College.
Moving from Newspapers to Television
Between 2012 and 2014, Charlotte Cross worked as a freelance journalist across print, online and broadcast media. Her experience included ITV News, ITN Productions, Channel 5, BBC UK Online, Newsquest, the Daily Telegraph, SWNS and Yahoo.
Charlotte Cross joined ITV News as a Production Journalist in January 2014, writing scripts, editing footage, producing bulletins, finding stories and planning coverage. As a Digital Producer at ITN from November 2014 to December 2016, she wrote for the national ITV News website and edited video packages for online use.
Her Role at ITV News Central
From On-Screen Journalist to Correspondent
Charlotte Cross became an on-screen journalist with ITV News Central in April 2016. She has covered breaking and diary news for the Central, Meridian and London regions, as well as national stories. Her work includes live reporting and studio presentation.
She completed a full-time reporting attachment with the national ITV News team. Her skills include self-shooting and self-editing with Avid, Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro.
In October 2019, she became a dedicated Environment Correspondent for ITV News Central. The role covers wildlife, conservation, climate change, water, land use and other environmental matters across the region. She presents bulletins for both Midlands regions.
A Practical On-Screen Skill Set
Her work involves far more than appearing in front of a camera. She develops ideas, contacts contributors, interviews people, gathers evidence, films material, edits reports and prepares live links, giving her a full understanding of production.
Major Stories and Investigations
The Shropshire Maternity Scandal
One of her most important areas of work has been the investigation into maternity care at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust. Charlotte followed families affected by serious failings and gave them space to explain the lasting impact on their lives.
Her work continued through the Ockenden review, which examined cases involving deaths, injuries and poor care. In 2022, she contributed to ITV News Central’s special coverage. In 2023, she secured an interview in which the trust’s chief executive admitted that the organisation had failed local communities.
The work required patience and sensitivity, while showing how regional journalism can hold major organisations to account and keep families at the centre.
River Pollution and the Wye
Charlotte Cross has also become strongly associated with environmental investigations. Her series What’s Killing the Wye? examined pollution in the River Wye and its effect on wildlife, farming, communities and the wider landscape. It explored pollution from agriculture, sewage and other sources.
The series earned a nomination for Investigation or Campaign of the Year at The Drum Online Media Awards in 2022. Later work followed pollution in the River Severn, including a project in which anglers tested water for harmful levels of phosphates and nitrates.
Drought, Water and Local Communities
Her environmental work reflects issues being felt across the Midlands. In August 2026, she covered drought conditions from Carsington Water, including falling water levels and the possibility of hosepipe restrictions. The report connected weather patterns with the concerns of households, farmers, water companies and local authorities.
This balance between scientific detail and everyday impact is central to her broadcasting style. She explains how environmental issues affect water supplies, wildlife, public spending and local communities.
Awards and Professional Recognition
Charlotte Cross’s work has received recognition at different stages of her career. Her honours include Digital Scoop of the Year at the ITV News Awards in 2014 and Journalism Student of the Year in 2009. She has also received Royal Television Society Midlands nominations for Journalist of the Year and On-Screen Personality of the Year.
In 2022, she was nominated for Journalist of the Year and Programme of the Year for ITV News Central’s coverage of the Ockenden review and maternity scandal. Her Wye investigation also received industry attention.
Charlotte Cross’s Personal Life and Interests
Charlotte Cross has publicly referred to Mark Mudie as her husband. The pair met while working in regional journalism. Mark was a news editor at the Express & Star and later moved into government communications. In 2018, he completed a charity Wolf Run in her place after she needed emergency appendix surgery. Charlotte has also raised money for arthritis research in support of her mother.
Books, Music and Dogs
Away from broadcasting, Charlotte describes herself as a feminist, bookworm and music lover. She also calls herself a dog mum. Her social media presence mixes work updates with photographs, humour and glimpses of life outside television.
Charlotte Cross has written about her experiences as a tall woman and the everyday harassment faced by women. These reflections show her interest in equality, safety and social change.
Social Media and Connection with Viewers
Charlotte Cross uses Instagram under the name charlottecrosstv and X under the name @JournoChar. The accounts connect her broadcasting work with ITV News Central viewers through field updates, behind-the-scenes moments, environmental stories and invitations to bring forward news ideas.
Why Charlotte Cross’s Work Matters
Charlotte Cross’s career shows how local journalism can grow into a powerful national platform. She began with community newspapers, learned daily deadlines and developed skills in digital production and television. Her work now combines public service broadcasting with investigations that demand time, evidence and compassion.
Whether examining maternity care, river pollution, drought or the future of a Midlands town, her focus remains on people and places. She gives complex issues a clear shape and helps viewers understand why they matter.
Conclusion
Charlotte Cross is an experienced ITV journalist whose career spans newspapers, digital media and television. Her current work as an Environment Correspondent and presenter places climate, water, wildlife and community concerns at the centre of her broadcasting. With a First-Class degree, a Merit in Broadcast Journalism, strong newsroom experience and recognised investigations, she has built a trusted place within ITV News Central.
Born on 6 August 1986, she is 40 years old in 2026. Her professional story continues to grow as she brings the changing environment and the major human issues of the Midlands to television audiences.
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