Weather presenter who sent viewers into meltdown with ‘racy’ outfit is dating BBC journalist paralysed in Al-Qaeda attack – and wowed Celebrity Mastermind with her Celine Dion knowledge
The BBC Weather presenter who this week sparked frenzy with a ‘racy’ outfit on the Six O’Clock News is known for an otherwise glamorous wardrobe – which she showcases at the likes of the Royal Box in Wimbledon, alongside her boyfriend Frank Gardner.
Elizabeth Rizzini, 49, who sent social media into meltdown after TV viewers were convinced they could see a hint of her ‘lace stockings’ during a broadcast, has been with the BBC’s security correspondent, who was paralysed in an Al-Qaeda attack in 2004, since 2020.
The divorced mother-of-two, from London, has spoken about how inspiring she finds her ‘devastatingly handsome’ partner of six years.
‘He had such a massive response from people who had similar situations,’ she told the documentary Being Frank: The Frank Gardner Story.
‘Frank is a security correspondent for the BBC. He is not a disability correspondent. People know very little about his disability until he chooses to talk about it. That was the chance to talk about it. He just gets on with it.’
The couple met in a lift at work. ‘I’d always admired how she was on camera and the way she presents the weather in such an engaging way,’ Frank told the Daily Mail in a 2020 interview.
‘She is wonderful company; it’s almost like having a first girlfriend. Even after all my Middle Eastern travels, a simple holiday in Greece with her recently seemed refreshingly adventurous.’
He also paid tribute to his partner’s sense of humour reveals how she’s constantly ‘ribbing’ him about being 15 years her senior.
The BBC Weather presenter who this week sparked frenzy with a ‘racy’ outfit on the Six O’Clock News is known for an otherwise glamorous wardrobe – which she showcases at the likes of the Royal Box in Wimbledon, alongside her boyfriend Frank Gardner
Elizabeth Rizzini, 49, who sent social media into meltdown after TV viewers were convinced they could see a hint of her ‘lace stockings’ during a broadcast, has been with the BBC’s security correspondent, who was paralysed in an Al-Quaeda attack in 2004, since 2020
In 2019, the couple were spotted sharing a passionate kiss in a London pub, one year after his split from his ex-wife of 22 years, Amanda Pearson.
Not much is known about Elizabeth’s previous relationship, other than that her ex-husband is Italian, and that they share two daughters; the youngest of whom was born in 2014.
She has worked at the BBC for 14 years, according to her LinkedIn, and is Met Office trained.
Revealing what an average working day looks like for her in a 2017 BBC article, Elizabeth said she wakes up at 3am and gets into the office for 4.15am.
By 5.30am, she’s in the studio recording forecasts and half an hour later she gets into her ‘red padded radio cupboard at the back of BBC London and so the long radio trawl begins’.
Back and forth meetings and recordings keep her busy into the afternoon and she finishes up at around 2pm.
‘Yes, it’s busy but when you love your job it never feels like work!’ she said.
Elizabeth grew up in Croydon but went on to enjoy living and studying abroad in both France and Spain, and speaks Spanish and Italian fluently.
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Just last year, she won Celebrity Mastermind (pictured), with her specialist subject being Celine Dion
The presenter, from London, who was previously married and has two children, got divorced in 2016, and has spoken about how inspired she has been by her ‘devastatingly handsome’ partner of six years (both pictured right)
She has worked at the BBC for 14 years, according to her LinkedIn, and is Met Office trained
She also holds a Master’s degree which focused on environmental journalism and climate change – but it’s not the only topic the anchor is a pro at.
Just last year, she won Celebrity Mastermind, with her specialist subject being Celine Dion.
She used her winnings to donate to Hospice in the Weald, which cared for her late cousin, Jo, before she passed away in 2021.
‘Jo was full of life and joy, always there for big moments in my life,’ Elizabeth shared. ‘The Hospice allowed her to have the dignified, comfortable passing she wished for, surrounded by love.’
On social media, Elizabeth posts about her pet cat, work, and the glitzy getaways she and Frank have been able to travel to, including Mexico and Lanzarote.
She has also been a VIP attendee at events like Wimbledon (where she enjoyed a view from the Royal Box), the Royal Albert Hall and London’s Trinity House – where the TV star met Princess Anne.
It comes as, on Wednesday, BBC viewers still reeling from the departure of Carol Kirkwood got another surprise when Elizabeth appeared to flash her black lace stockings on the Six O’Clock News.
The weather presenter wore a sleek denim zip-up dress and glamorous beige, studded heels as she talked through the forecast.
She has also been a VIP attendee at events like Wimbledon (where she enjoyed a view from the Royal Box), the Royal Albert Hall and London’s Trinity House – where the TV star met Princess Anne
People tuning into the weather on telly don’t expect to have their pulses set racing, but last night BBC presenter Lizzie Rizzini caused a stir as viewers were convinced they could see a flash of black lace stocking during her segment on the six o’clock news
However, a suggestive hint of a black band around the top of her leg plunged social media intro frenzy over the ‘racy’ display.
‘All the dads have had to have a lie-down in a darkened room whilst they recover,’ one joked on X, while another quipped they had never ‘seen stocking tops on the BBC before’.
Another added: ‘Certainly brightens up dull weather.’
However, despite the hundreds of comments that followed, some women claimed the reality was probably more mundane.
‘Sorry to rain on your parade but suspect they are cycling shorts or thermals,’ one explained. ‘Never seen natural covered stockings with black tops.’
Another suggested it may have been a technical thigh strap used to help hold her microphone up.
Elsewhere, a comment read: ‘There is life after Carol Kirkwood.’
