Anthea Turner was born on 25 May 1960 in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, to Brian Turner and Jean Turner. She grew up with two sisters, Ruth and Wendy. Tragically, one of her sisters, Ruth, died aged 15. Her other sister is presenter Wendy Turner-Webster.

Turner was educated at St Dominic’s Grammar School, a Roman Catholic girls’ school in Stoke. Her career started at BBC Radio Stoke as a runner, before moving to Sky and Music Box, presenting live music programmes until 1989. Her live television debut was on BBC’s But First This (1987), which led to her fronting the BBC’s morning show UP2U (1988–89).

She presented Top of the Pops (1988–91) and Blue Peter (1992–1994). During her two years at Blue Peter, she launched the most successful ‘homemade make’ in the history of the show, with over 100,000 viewers writing in for details of how to make ‘Tracy Island’ from Thunderbirds.

After Blue Peter, she joined GMTV (1994–96) and presented the National Lottery draw. She later fronted Wish You Were Here…? (1998–99) and presented Perfect Housewife for BBC Three (2006–07). In 2019, Turner began a relationship with businessman Mark Armstrong. She continues to work as a TV presenter, interiors expert, and writer.