After a brief go at drama school and a stint working in fashion in her early twenties, Gemma Cairney is now a BBC broadcaster, magpie, and life enthusiast who has won awards for making documentaries on subjects such as young people in violent relationships. She presents The Surgery Show on BBC Radio 1 and co-produced and presented internet entertainment show, The Fox Problem. Gemma has presented shows and one offs for BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, 2, 3, 4, 4 Extra, 6Music and BBC World Service. She is also founder of boutique production company - Boom Shakalaka Productions. She likes to write, explore the planet, trek mountains and DJ garage classics.

Her non-fiction titles for teenagers, Open Your Heart: Learn to Love Your Life and Love Yourself and Open Your Mind: Your World and Your Future, are must-have practical guides to navigating the ups and downs of life.