About Alex Scott
Before fame
Scott grew up in Poplar, east London, where she played football on a local estate with her older brother Ronnie and other neighborhood children.
At eight, her ability caught a referee's attention during a game with boys, leading to an invitation to train with Arsenal. She initially trained alongside much older girls and eventually joined the first-team environment as a teenager.
A lifelong Arsenal supporter, she made her senior debut at 16. With opportunities limited while she was playing as a forward, she moved to Birmingham City in 2004 to gain regular first-team experience.
There, she developed into the right-back position that defined her professional career. Her performances brought international recognition, and she made her England debut against the Netherlands in September 2004. She later returned to Arsenal and established herself among the country's leading defenders.
Trivia and noteworthy facts
European champion: Scott scored the decisive goal against Umeå IK in Arsenal's 2007 UEFA Women's Cup final victory.
England international: She earned 140 senior caps and scored 12 goals for the Lionesses between 2004 and 2017.
Olympic athlete: She represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics, making five appearances.
World Cup success: She was part of England's squad that finished third at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Football Hall of Fame: She entered the English Football Hall of Fame in 2019 and was named among the 2024 Women's Super League Hall of Fame inductees.
Broadcasting pioneer: She became the first permanent female presenter of BBC's Football Focus in 2021 and hosted its final episode in May 2026.
Reality television: She competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2019, finishing fifth, and appeared on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2025.
Author and advocate: She published her memoir, How (Not) to Be Strong, in 2022 and became an ambassador for the domestic abuse charity Refuge in 2023.
Family life
Scott was raised in east London by her mother, Carol McKee, alongside her older brother, Ronnie. She has credited Carol with supporting her early football ambitions, while Ronnie was one of the children she regularly played football with on their estate.
Her father, Tony Scott, and her parents' separation have been discussed publicly in interviews and her memoir, How (Not) to Be Strong. Scott has spoken about the importance of her mother and their close bond.
In her personal life, she is in a publicly acknowledged relationship with British singer Jess Glynne. The couple have discussed their relationship in interviews and shared occasional public appearances together.
Associated with
Jess Glynne: British singer and Scott's publicly acknowledged romantic partner since 2023.
Kelly Smith: Former Arsenal and England teammate who also shared part of Scott's football journey in the United States.
Steph Houghton: Former Arsenal teammate and fellow England international.
Dan Walker: BBC presenter whom Scott succeeded as host of Football Focus in 2021.
Neil Jones: Professional dancer who partnered Scott during Strictly Come Dancing in 2019.
