Natalie Pinkham was born on 20 September 1977 in Buckinghamshire, to barrister mother Joy and property developer father John. She and her older DJ brother Sam, who presents the early morning show for Virgin Radio, were raised at the family home in Northants.

After graduating from the University of Nottingham, she joined Endemol as a researcher on BBC Two’s Ready Steady Cook, and then as an assistant producer on International King of Sports. She went on to cover a wide range of sports — from Isle of Man TT racing to the FIFA World Cup, poker, and tennis — before finding her way into motorsport.

It was confirmed in January 2011 that Pinkham was to join BBC Radio 5 Live’s Formula One commentary team as a pit lane reporter, beginning with the 2011 Australian Grand Prix. In December 2011, it was announced she was joining Sky Sports to cover the 2012 F1 season. For 2013, she replaced close friend Georgie Thompson as host of The F1 Show.

She appeared as herself in the 2025 film F1. In late 2025, Pinkham was forced to miss several races due to a slipped disc in her neck that required surgery, before returning to screens for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix.

Pinkham is married to Owain Walbyoff and they have two children, a son born January 2015 and a daughter born June 2016.