Dolly Alderton

Dolly Alderton is a bestselling British author, journalist and podcast host, widely regarded as one of the most distinctive voices of her generation. As a speaker, she is known for her honesty, wit and emotional intelligence, bringing sharp cultural insight to conversations about modern life. Her biggest achievement to date is 'Everything I Know About Love', a Sunday Times bestselling memoir, which won the National Book Award for Autobiography and became a defining book on friendship, love and growing up.

Dolly’s career began with a strong foundation in storytelling and media. She studied drama and English at the University of Exeter before completing a master’s degree in journalism at City University, London. Her early professional years were spent working in television, including her role as Story Producer on the BAFTA-winning Made in Chelsea, alongside development work in comedy, entertainment and drama. She also worked as a script assistant on Channel 4’s Fresh Meat and directed behind-the-scenes content for Peep Show. These formative experiences sharpened her narrative instincts and gave her first-hand insight into creative industries, deadlines and collaboration, lessons she later drew on when transitioning into journalism and authorship.

Her rise as a writer and public figure has been marked by critical acclaim and cultural impact. Alongside her memoir, Dolly has published the novels 'Ghosts' and 'Good Material', both praised for their emotional precision and contemporary relevance, as well as the essay collection 'Dear Dolly', drawn from her widely read Sunday Times advice column. She has been a Columnist for The Sunday Times, previously writing a popular dating column and later becoming an agony aunt. As co-creator and co-host of The High Low, she helped build one of Britain’s most influential podcasts, reaching millions of listeners and hosting live shows across the UK. Her work has earned recognition including Forbes 30 Under 30, serving as a Judge for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, and receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Exeter.

As a keynote speaker, Dolly is sought after because she speaks with clarity, warmth and relevance. She covers topics including relationships, female friendship, creativity, ambition, resilience, media and navigating adulthood in uncertain times. Her talks resonate because they are rooted in lived experience, blending humour with thoughtful reflection. Audiences value her ability to articulate feelings they recognise but struggle to name, leaving them engaged, reassured and inspired. Dolly brings intelligence without pretence and honesty without performance, making her a powerful voice for events that value connection, insight and cultural relevance.