Katherine Jayne Secker was born on 12 July 1972 in Bedlington, Northumberland. She is the daughter of Kathy Secker, a much-loved broadcaster known for her work with Tyne Tees Television and BBC Radio Newcastle, and Wally Secker. Jayne also has a brother named David Secker. Her mother’s presence in regional broadcasting gave her early exposure to the energy, pressure and public responsibility of media work, although Jayne later carved out her own path through discipline, training and field experience.

Secker attended Westfield Senior School and later attended the University of Stirling, where she attained a degree in Film and Media. While she was at the University of Stirling, she edited student newspapers and completed an internship with BBC Radio Newcastle.

After she had graduated from the University of Stirling, in 1996 she became an assigned BBC trainee. She served as a foreign correspondent for ten years, and during this time she often reported from war zones such as the Middle East.

Since September 2014, Jayne has been the presenter of Sky News Today, initially co-hosting with Colin Brazier. She was the first to present the first live television interview with astronaut Tim Peake from the International Space Station.