Dan Wootton is a New Zealander-British journalist and broadcaster. He is best known for his roles at News of the World and The Sun, where he rose to executive editor. He made notable TV appearances and left News UK in 2021 to join MailOnline and GB News. However, in July 2023, allegations of misconduct, including catfishing and overseeing sexual harassment at The Sun, emerged, which Wootton vehemently denied as a "smear campaign." His MailOnline column was paused pending investigation. In September 2023, he was suspended from GB News after a guest made unacceptable sexual comments on his show, prompting Wootton's apology and acknowledgment of his lack of intervention.
Dan Wootton, a journalist and broadcaster with dual New Zealand and British citizenship, had a dynamic career, including executive roles at News of the World and The Sun. He made notable TV appearances and joined MailOnline and GB News in 2021. His MailOnline column was paused for investigation, and he was suspended from GB News in September 2023 due to unacceptable comments made by a guest on his show, prompting Wootton's apology.
Dan Wootton, originally named Daniel John William Wootton, took birth on 2nd March 1983 in Wellington, New Zealand. He was born to British parents - his mother hailed from Basildon, Essex, and his father was born on a British army base in Malta. He spent his formative years in Lower Hutt, a city in the Wellington region of New Zealand. Wootton holds dual nationality, being both a New Zealand and British citizen, with his ethnicity being Mixed. She also has a sibling, a sister namely Ashleigh Wootton. He pursued his education at Naenae College and later attended Victoria University of Wellington, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in media studies and political science.
Dan Wootton embarked on his career contributing an entertainment column for The Dominion Post, a Wellington-based broadsheet newspaper, and working as a reporter for the television program Good Morning. At the age of 21, he made a significant move to the United Kingdom from New Zealand. After a brief stint with trade magazines, he found his place at Broadcast magazine. Wootton's career then took off as he joined the News of the World TV team in 2007, eventually becoming its show-business editor. Following the closure of the News of the World in 2011, he continued his journalism journey as a columnist and feature writer for the Daily Mail and an editor-at-large for Now magazine. In 2013, Wootton joined The Sun newspaper launching a new column on Sundays. His career includes notable achievements, such as being named 'Showbiz Reporter of the Year' multiple times and breaking the story about "Megxit" in 2020.
In 2021, Wootton made a significant career move by leaving The Sun and talkRADIO to join MailOnline as a columnist and becoming a host at GB News. His GB News program, "Tonight Live with Dan Wootton," was later rebranded and shortened to "Dan Wootton Tonight" in November 2021. Throughout his career, Wootton has been involved in various high-profile controversies and legal battles, such as the Johnny Depp libel case, and facing criticism for his stance on COVID-19 herd immunity.
Former journalist Dan Wootton, known for his roles at The Sun and GB News, found himself embroiled in a series of serious allegations. Starting with Andrew Brady's harassment and false accusations in February 2022, the situation escalated when Byline Times accused Wootton of using fake online personas to solicit explicit images from men, along with claims of fostering a culture of sexual harassment and bullying at The Sun. Allegations of involvement with male pornographic actors and misusing funds added to the controversy. While the Metropolitan Police assessed the information, no investigation ensued. This led to an external law firm probing News UK and the suspension of Wootton's MailOnline column.
In August 2023, more allegations emerged, raising safeguarding concerns at The Sun, the Daily Mail, and ITV. GB News faced criticism for not investigating these allegations, which culminated in the suspension of both Wootton and actor Laurence Fox after an inappropriate incident on Wootton's show in September 2023.
Dan Wootton, a prominent journalist and broadcaster, has left a substantial mark on the media industry. As of 2023, his estimated net worth falls within the range of $1 million to $3 million. Hosting a daily show for four days a week on GB News contributes significantly to his income, with an average annual salary of approximately $82,450. His primary source of wealth stems from his involvement in the entertainment industry, underscoring his successful career in journalism and broadcasting.
Dan Wootton is currently single and unmarried, with no boyfriend in his life at the moment. He openly identifies as gay, publicly sharing his sexual orientation through a Twitter announcement in 2013. Wootton's openness about his identity has contributed to fostering conversations about LGBTQ+ representation and inclusivity in the media industry, where he has played a prominent role in his career as a journalist and broadcaster.
Dan Wootton stands tall at 6 feet 1 inch, with a bodyweight of 86 kilograms. He boasts a charming appearance, characterized by brown hair and captivating blue eyes. His shoe size is 9, and he maintains an average body type that complements his attractive personality, highlighted by a glowing face.
Dan Wootton embarked on his journalism journey by initially serving as an entertainment columnist for the Dominion Post, a prominent newspaper based in Wellington, New Zealand. Simultaneously, he also took on the role of a reporter for the daily television program Good Morning. These early experiences provided the foundation for his career in the field of journalism and entertainment reporting, setting the stage for his future endeavors in the media industry.
At the age of 21, Dan Wootton made a significant move to the United Kingdom, marking a pivotal moment in his career journey. Following his relocation, he initially ventured into the world of trade magazines, gaining valuable experience. However, his breakthrough came when he secured a position with Broadcast magazine, a notable publication in the UK. This step opened doors to opportunities within the media industry and paved the way for his subsequent roles and achievements as a journalist and broadcaster.
Wootton is a dual national, holding both New Zealand and British citizenship. Despite being born in Wellington, New Zealand, he has spent a significant part of his life in the United Kingdom, where he currently resides. His British heritage is evident in his family background, with both of his parents originating from the United Kingdom; his mother was born in Basildon, Essex, while his father's birth took place on a British army base in Malta. This dual nationality and cultural background have contributed to his diverse and dynamic career in the media industry.
Dan openly identifies as gay and has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ equality. In December 2013, he took to Twitter to publicly announce his sexual orientation, stating his support for equality in all aspects of life. He emphasized the importance of normalizing gay relationships in the media and society. Despite being one of journalism's prominent openly gay editors and reporters, Dan has faced criticism from some segments of the LGBTQ+ community for his handling of certain subjects. This includes controversies surrounding his reporting on Charlie Sheen's HIV status and his labeling of singer George Shelley as "bisexual" despite Shelley's preference not to label his sexuality. Wootton's public declaration of his sexual orientation has added to the visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals in the media industry.