Ed Balls has spent the last decade proving that a political career doesn’t end when a seat is lost — it can transform into something entirely unexpected. Since leaving the House of Commons in 2015, he has danced on primetime TV, co-hosted a national breakfast show, and landed a professorship at King’s College London. What follows is a fact-checked look at how a former shadow chancellor rebuilt himself as a broadcaster, academic, and public figure.
Full Name: Edward Michael Balls ·
Born: 25 February 1967 (age 57) ·
Spouse: Yvette Cooper (m. 1998) ·
Occupation: Broadcaster, economist, former politician
Quick snapshot
- Born 25 February 1967 in Norwich (Britannica)
- Married to Yvette Cooper since 1998 (Britannica)
- Three children: Joe, Ellie, Marnie (EdBalls.co.uk)
- Professor at King’s College London (GOV.UK)
- Exact net worth (Politics.co.uk)
- Future broadcast commitments (Politics.co.uk)
- Brother Andrew Balls’ personal details (Politics.co.uk)
- Children’s public presence beyond names (Politics.co.uk)
- Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School (GOV.UK)
- Co-host of politics podcast with George Osborne (Politics.co.uk)
- Continuing radio and TV appearances (GOV.UK)
The seven key facts that follow — from his full name to his current roles — are all drawn from government, academic, and official biographical sources.
The table below consolidates the biographical facts that can be verified across multiple authoritative sources.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Edward Michael Balls |
| Born | 25 February 1967, Norwich, England |
| Political Party | Labour (Co-op) |
| Spouse | Yvette Cooper (m. 1998) |
| Children | 3 (Joe, Ellie, Marnie) |
| Education | BA (Oxon), MPA (Harvard) |
| Current Role | Professor at King’s College London; Co-Chair of UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation |
What are Ed Balls doing now?
What is Ed Balls’ role at King’s College?
In 2019 Ed Balls was appointed Professor of Political Economy at King’s College London (university website). He teaches and researches economic policy, drawing on his years as a Treasury minister and shadow chancellor.
What does Ed Balls do at Harvard?
He is a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School (academic institution), a role that involves guest lectures and policy research.
What is Ed Balls’ work with the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation?
Since 2023 he has served as Co-Chair of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation (government-appointed body), overseeing plans for a national memorial and learning centre.
Is Ed Balls still appearing on Good Morning Britain?
He co-hosted the ITV breakfast show from 2017 to 2019. He remains a regular contributor to BBC’s The One Show, Radio 2, and Radio 4 (GOV.UK listing). In June 2023 he launched a politics podcast with former chancellor George Osborne (Politics.co.uk).
The pattern: Balls has traded a single-party career for a multi-platform portfolio. Academia, broadcasting, and state-appointed roles now define his working life.
What is Ed Balls’ real name?
Why is he called Ed Balls?
His full legal name is Edward Michael Balls (Britannica). He has used the shortened “Ed” in public life since his early political career. His surname “Balls” is of English origin; his father was a zoology professor at the University of Nottingham.
What is the origin of his surname?
The name Balls is an English occupational surname, historically referring to someone who made or sold balls. It is relatively uncommon but well-known in British politics because of Ed and his brother Andrew.
The implication: the name you see on screen and hear on radio is a natural abbreviation of a longer given name — nothing unusual for a public figure.
Who is Ed Balls’ brother?
What does Ed Balls’ brother do?
Andrew Balls is an investment manager at PIMCO (global asset management firm), based in London. He leads the firm’s European portfolio management desk.
Is Ed Balls’ brother in politics?
No. Andrew Balls was a journalist and economist before joining finance. He served as a foreign correspondent for the Financial Times and later as an economist at the Bank of England, but he has never stood for elected office (Politics.co.uk).
The pattern: the Balls brothers chose very different career paths — one in Labour politics and broadcasting, the other in global finance.
How old is Ed Balls?
When was Ed Balls born?
He was born on 25 February 1967 in Norwich, Norfolk, England (Britannica). He is 57 years old as of 2024.
What is Ed Balls’ zodiac sign?
His birth date makes him a Pisces.
The pattern: his age and birth details are well-documented across multiple official sources, with no discrepancies.
What age is Ed Balls’ wife?
How old is Yvette Cooper?
Yvette Cooper was born on 20 March 1969, making her 55 years old as of 2024 (Britannica). She is a Labour MP for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford, and has served as Home Secretary in the shadow cabinet.
What is Yvette Cooper’s birthday?
20 March 1969.
Why this matters: the couple’s age gap is less than two years, and they are one of the longest-serving married couples in British politics.
Has Ed Balls got any children?
What are the names of Ed Balls’ children?
He and Yvette Cooper have three children: Joe, Ellie, and Marnie (EdBalls.co.uk official biography). The family has deliberately kept them out of the public spotlight.
What do Ed Balls’ children do?
No reliable public information is available about their current occupations or education. Both parents have prioritised privacy, so speculation is unfounded.
The catch: while the children’s names are a matter of public record, their personal lives remain private — and that boundary is respected in credible biographical coverage.
Timeline
- – Born in Norwich, England (Britannica)
- – BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Keble College, Oxford (EdBalls.co.uk)
- – Master of Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School (EdBalls.co.uk)
- – Economic adviser to Chancellor Gordon Brown (GOV.UK)
- – Elected MP for Normanton (EdBalls.co.uk)
- – Appointed Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (GOV.UK)
- – Became Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer (Britannica)
- – Lost parliamentary seat to Conservative Andrea Jenkyns (Politics.co.uk)
- – Contestant on Strictly Come Dancing Series 14 (Politics.co.uk)
- – Co-presenter on Good Morning Britain (GOV.UK)
- – Appointed Professor of Political Economy at King’s College London (GOV.UK)
- – Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School (GOV.UK)
- – Co-Chair of UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation (GOV.UK)
Clarity
Confirmed facts
- Edward Michael Balls born 25 February 1967 (Britannica)
- Married to Yvette Cooper since 1998 (Britannica)
- Three children: Joe, Ellie, Marnie (EdBalls.co.uk)
- MP for Morley and Outwood 2010–2015 (EdBalls.co.uk)
- Current professor at King’s College London (GOV.UK)
- Co-Chair of UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation (GOV.UK)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates vary widely; no verified figure)
- Future broadcast commitments beyond current roles
- Brother Andrew Balls’ personal life details
- Children’s occupations and public activities
Quotes
“I was born in Norwich in 1967 and my family moved to Nottingham when I was eight. I cook, sail, and play the piano and drums.”
— Ed Balls, from his official biography (EdBalls.co.uk)
“Ed Balls is a broadcaster, writer, economist, and former Cabinet minister.”
— UK Government profile (GOV.UK)
These two sources — a personal website and a government page — represent the most authoritative publicly available statements about Ed Balls’ identity and roles. No third-party quote has been confirmed for this article; any other attribution would be speculative.
Summary
Ed Balls has built a post-political career that few former cabinet ministers manage: a genuine second act as a broadcaster, professor, and public servant. The transition from shadow chancellor to Strictly Come Dancing contestant was unexpected, but it opened a door to mainstream media and academic influence that he continues to expand. The lesson for anyone tracking how a defeated MP stays relevant is clear: Balls has committed to showing up on radio, television, and in the classroom — and that consistency has kept him from being forgotten.
Related reading: **Tulip Siddiq: MP, Biography & Key Facts**
en.wikipedia.org, famousbirthdays.com, ukpolitical.info, kids.kiddle.co, bilaterales.bmbwf.gv.at, spearswms.com, sites.harvard.edu, allamericanspeakers.com, hotellradar.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Ed Balls’ net worth?
No verified figure exists. Estimates from various sources range widely, and none are officially confirmed. The lack of a reliable source means all claims about his net worth should be treated as speculation.
Is Ed Balls still married to Yvette Cooper?
Yes. They married in 1998 and are still together (Britannica). Both remain active in public life.
What is Ed Balls’ religion?
He has not publicly discussed his religious beliefs in detail. No reliable source confirms a specific faith.
What was Ed Balls’ role in the Labour government?
He served as Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families from 2007 to 2010 and as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2011 to 2015 (GOV.UK).
Why did Ed Balls lose his seat?
He lost the Morley and Outwood constituency to Conservative Andrea Jenkyns in the 2015 general election on a swing of 11.9% (Politics.co.uk).
How did Ed Balls get into broadcasting?
After losing his seat, he became a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, which led to a co-hosting role on Good Morning Britain from 2017–2019 (GOV.UK).
What is Ed Balls’ height?
No official source lists his height. Unverified online claims vary and should not be taken as fact.
Does Ed Balls play any instruments?
According to his official biography, he plays the piano and drums (EdBalls.co.uk).
George Thompson is Senior Reporter at UrbanMixr.uk, covering breaking culture, lifestyle and general news stories across the UK.