# Alex Polizzi > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alex_Polizzi > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alex_Polizzi.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Polizzi > Source revision: 1347363164 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|British hotelier and TV presenter}} {{Use British English|date=November 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}} {{Infobox person | name = Alex Polizzi | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Alessandra Maria Luigia Anna Polizzi di Sorrentino{{cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/E3J34SS9w8z39PFkm0f5S_ZCt1A/appointments |title=Alessandra Maria Luigia Anna POLIZZI DI SORRENTINO - Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House) |publisher=Beta.companieshouse.gov.uk |date= |accessdate=2020-03-01}}Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage 2003, vol. 1, p. 1472 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age text|28 August 1971}}{{cite web|title=Alex Polizzi – British Hotelier and Television Presenter|url=http://www.hotelresortinsider.com/news_story.php?news_id=139752&cat_id=9|work=Hotel & Resort Insider|accessdate=18 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007224827/http://www.hotelresortinsider.com/news_story.php?news_id=139752&cat_id=9|archive-date=7 October 2013|url-status=dead}} | birth_place = [Poplar, London](/source/Poplar%2C_London), England | death_date = | death_place = | known_for = | education = [University of Oxford](/source/University_of_Oxford) | employer = | occupation = {{hlist|Hotelier|businesswoman|television personality}} | years_active = 2008–present | television = {{plainlist| * ''[The Hotel Inspector](/source/The_Hotel_Inspector)'' * ''[Alex Polizzi: The Fixer](/source/Alex_Polizzi%3A_The_Fixer)'' * ''[Alex Polizzi: Chefs on Trial](/source/Alex_Polizzi%3A_Chefs_on_Trial)'' }} | spouse = {{plainlist| * {{marriage|Marcus Miller
|2007|2024|end=divorced}} }} | children = 2 | parents = {{plainlist| * Alessandro Polizzi * [Olga Polizzi](/source/Olga_Polizzi) (née Forte) }} | relatives = {{plainlist| * [William Shawcross](/source/William_Shawcross) (stepfather) * [Charles Forte](/source/Charles_Forte%2C_Baron_Forte) (grandfather) * [Sir Rocco Forte](/source/Rocco_Forte) (uncle) * [Oliver Peyton](/source/Oliver_Peyton) (brother-in-law) }} }} '''Alessandra Maria Luigia Anna Polizzi di Sorrentino'''{{cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/E3J34SS9w8z39PFkm0f5S_ZCt1A/appointments |title=Alessandra Maria Luigia Anna POLIZZI DI SORRENTINO - Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House) |publisher=Beta.companieshouse.gov.uk |date= |accessdate=2020-03-01}}Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage 2003, vol. 1, p. 1472 (born 28 August 1971), better known as '''Alex Polizzi''', is a British [hotelier](/source/hotel_manager), businesswoman, and television personality. Since 2008, she has presented ''[The Hotel Inspector](/source/The_Hotel_Inspector)'' on [Channel 5](/source/Channel_5_(UK)). ==Early life== Polizzi was born on 28 August 1971 in [Poplar, London](/source/Poplar%2C_London), England. Polizzi is of [Italian](/source/Italians_in_the_United_Kingdom) descent. Polizzi comes from a family of hoteliers. Her mother is the Hon. [Olga Polizzi](/source/Olga_Polizzi), a hotel designer who is a daughter of [Lord Forte](/source/Charles_Forte%2C_Baron_Forte) and the sister of [Sir Rocco Forte](/source/Rocco_Forte).{{cite web|title=Alex Polizzi|url=http://www.tvlives.com/view.php?x=2&id=5007|publisher=TVLives.com|accessdate=29 August 2009}} Her father was of the former [Italian nobility](/source/Italian_nobility), the [Marquess](/source/Marquess) Alessandro [Polizzi](/source/%3Ait%3APolizzi_(famiglia)) di Sorrentino,Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage 2003, vol. 1, p. 1472 who died in a car accident in 1980. Polizzi studied English at [St Catherine's College, Oxford](/source/St_Catherine's_College%2C_Oxford). She trained at the [Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong](/source/Mandarin_Oriental%2C_Hong_Kong), and worked for [Marco Pierre White](/source/Marco_Pierre_White).{{cite web|last=Rivkin|first=Annabel|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/alex-polizzi-a-most-unlikely-sex-bomb-7309946.html|title=Alex Polizzi, a most unlikely sex bomb|work=[London Evening Standard](/source/London_Evening_Standard)|date=20 January 2012|accessdate=18 September 2013}} ==Career== In 1997, Polizzi and her then-boyfriend Marcus Miller started a wholesale bakery, Millers Bespoke Bakery. The company supplied bread to [Selfridges](/source/Selfridges), [Harvey Nichols](/source/Harvey_Nichols), and [Fortnum & Mason](/source/Fortnum_%26_Mason).{{cite web|first=Lynn|last=Barber|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2005/oct/30/devon.hotels.observerescape?page=2|title=At last, a country house where fun isn't frowned on|work=The Observer|date=30 October 2005|accessdate=29 August 2009|location=London}} She then managed the [Hotel Endsleigh](/source/Endsleigh_Cottage) in [Milton Abbot](/source/Milton_Abbot), near [Tavistock](/source/Tavistock%2C_Devon) in [Devon](/source/Devon), which is owned by her mother Olga.{{cite news|url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/style/fashion/trends/article67202.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903080057/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/style/fashion/trends/article67202.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 September 2014|title=Relative Values: Olga Polizzi and her daughter Alexandra|work=[The Sunday Times](/source/The_Sunday_Times)|date=1 July 2007|accessdate=18 September 2013}} {{subscription required}} In 2021, Polizzi and her mother renovated and opened The Star in [Alfriston](/source/Alfriston), in [East Sussex](/source/East_Sussex), in their first joint venture.{{Cite web|last=Monk|first=Zoe|date=2021-06-23|title=FIRST LOOK: Olga and Alex Polizzi open The Star in Alfriston|url=https://www.boutiquehotelier.com/first-look-olga-and-alex-polizzi-open-the-star-in-alfriston/|access-date=2021-08-20|website=Boutique Hotelier|language=en-US}} ==Television career== Since 2008, Polizzi has presented the [Channel 5](/source/Channel_5_(UK)) series ''[The Hotel Inspector](/source/The_Hotel_Inspector)'', replacing [Ruth Watson](/source/Ruth_Watson). The show sees Polizzi visiting struggling British hotels to try to turn their fortunes around by giving advice and suggestions to the owners/managers, and often undertaking renovation projects on their behalf. She also presented the [BBC Two](/source/BBC_Two) series, ''[Alex Polizzi: The Fixer](/source/Alex_Polizzi%3A_The_Fixer)'',{{cite web|url=http://www.wharfedaleobserver.co.uk/news/news_local/9421191.Re_launch_celebration_after_Yeadon_store_s_refurb/|title=Re-launch celebration after Yeadon store's refurb|website=Wharfedale Observer|date=15 December 2011 |access-date=31 August 2016}} which focuses on her turning around family businesses, not just hotels.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8611853/Hotel-Inspector-Alex-Polizzi-poached-by-BBC-for-new-show.html|title=Hotel Inspector Alex Polizzi poached by BBC for new show|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=1 July 2011|accessdate=23 October 2011 | location=London}} The first series aired in 2012; the second in 2013; a third in 2014 and a fourth in 2015. Polizzi also presented a revisited series called ''The Fixer Returns'' in 2013, as well as a Christmas special, which aired in December 2013. In October 2014, Polizzi launched a new Channel 5 series, ''Alex Polizzi's Secret Italy'', where she visits either lesser-known places within Italy or well-known towns and cities and, using local connections, shows areas that tourists would not ordinarily experience.{{cite web|accessdate=2019-08-07|title=Alex Polizzi to star in new Channel 5 travel show Secret Italy|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-08-13/alex-polizzi-to-star-in-new-channel-5-travel-show-secret-italy/|website=Radio Times}} In October 2014, it was announced that Polizzi would host a new [BBC Two](/source/BBC_Two) series, ''[Alex Polizzi: Chefs on Trial](/source/Alex_Polizzi%3A_Chefs_on_Trial)'', where she visits various food outlets. The series began airing on 20 April 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.twofour.co.uk/news/twofour-commissioned-to-produce-alex-polizzi-for-hire/|title=Twofour commissioned to produce Alex Polizzi For Hire|last=Twofour|website=Twofour.co.uk|access-date=31 August 2016}} In March 2017, Polizzi released ''Spectacular Spain with Alex Polizzi''{{Cite news|url=http://www.channel5.com/show/spectacular-spain-with-alex-polizzi/|title=Spectacular Spain with Alex Polizzi |publisher=Channel 5|access-date=4 July 2017|language=en-US}} and then ''Our Dream Hotel'' on 6 June.{{Cite news|url=http://www.channel5.com/show/our-dream-hotel/|title=Our Dream Hotel |publisher=Channel 5|access-date=4 July 2017|language=en-US}} From February 2018, she invited her Irish brother-in-law, the restaurateur [Oliver Peyton](/source/Oliver_Peyton), to join her in a new Channel 5 series ''Peyton And Polizzi's Restaurant Rescue'', where they pool their experience to play firefighters and turn around failing restaurants.[http://www.channel5.com/show/peyton-and-polizzis-restaurant-rescue/ "''Peyton And Polizzi's Restaurant Rescue''"]. Channel 5 website, 2018-02-07. In August 2021, ''Alex Polizzi: My Hotel Nightmare'' aired on Channel 5, which chronicled the renovation of The Star during the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic) prior to its opening.{{Cite web|title=Alex Polizzi: My Hotel Nightmare|url=https://www.channel5.com/show/alex-polizzi-my-hotel-nightmare|access-date=2021-08-20|website=Channel 5|language=en-US}} ==Personal life== Polizzi lives in London. Her former husband is Marcus Miller, whom she married in 2007 (divorced 2024). They have 2 children together, a daughter Olga and son Rocco. Polizzi is bilingual, being fluent in English and Italian.{{Cite news|url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/in10-second-tv-alex-polizzi/|title=Hotel Inspector Alex Polizzi says she loves not being angry on new show - Sunday Post|work=Sunday Post|access-date=2018-07-28|language=en-US}} Her sister Charlotte is married to [Oliver Peyton](/source/Oliver_Peyton), an Irish restaurateur and a former judge on the [BBC](/source/BBC) television series ''[Great British Menu](/source/Great_British_Menu)''. [Sir Rocco Forte](/source/Sir_Rocco_Forte) is her uncle.{{Cite news|date=2016-03-26|title=Group names pro-Brexit business heads|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35901811|access-date=2018-07-28}} She had a [Roman Catholic](/source/Roman_Catholic) upbringing, and spent "every Sunday of her childhood" at the [Church of the Immaculate Conception](/source/Church_of_the_Immaculate_Conception%2C_Farm_Street) on Farm Street, London.{{cite web|author=|date=|title=The UK's Favourite Churches|url=https://www.favouritechurches.org.uk/alex-polizzi|website=Favouritechurches.org.uk|accessdate=10 April 2018}} Polizzi backed the [Leave campaign](/source/Campaigning_in_the_United_Kingdom_European_Union_membership_referendum%2C_2016) during the [2016 British referendum on membership of the EU](/source/2016_United_Kingdom_European_Union_membership_referendum), but has spoken subsequently of her concern that [Brexit](/source/Brexit) could threaten the supply of labour into the hospitality and hotel industry.{{cite web|author=|date=21 June 2016|title=Remain Or Brexit? How The Stars Are Voting|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/eu-referendum-how-celebs-are-voting_uk_57691430e4b01fb658640c57|website=Huffingtonpost.co.uk|accessdate=21 March 2018}} In 2026, Polizzi revealed that she had divorced her husband of 17 years following strains bought on by the renovation of The Star hotel undertaken by Polizzi in the years prior{{Cite web |last=Crutchley |first=Joe |date=2026-03-05 |title=The Hotel Inspector Alex Polizzi's sad confession about end of her marriage |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/hotel-inspector-alex-polizzis-heartbreaking-36824854 |access-date=2026-04-06 |website=Daily Mirror |language=en}}. ==Filmography== ===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Channel |- | 2008–present | ''[The Hotel Inspector](/source/The_Hotel_Inspector)'' | rowspan="8" |Presenter | [Channel 5](/source/Channel_5_(UK)) |- | 2012–2015 | ''[Alex Polizzi: The Fixer](/source/Alex_Polizzi%3A_The_Fixer)'' | [BBC Two](/source/BBC_Two) |- | 2014–2016 | ''Alex Polizzi's Secret Italy'' | Channel 5 |- | rowspan=3|2015 | ''[Alex Polizzi: Chefs on Trial](/source/Alex_Polizzi%3A_Chefs_on_Trial)'' | BBC Two |- | ''Alex Polizzi's Italian Islands'' | Channel 5 |- | ''Alex Polizzi: Hire Our Heroes'' | BBC Two |- | rowspan="2" | 2017 | ''Spectacular Spain with Alex Polizzi'' | rowspan="5" |Channel 5 |- |''Our Dream Hotel'' |- | rowspan="2" | 2018 | ''Peyton and Polizzi's Restaurant Rescue'' | Co-presenter |- | ''[The Wright Stuff](/source/The_Wright_Stuff)'' | Panellist |- | 2021 | ''Alex Polizzi: My Hotel Nightmare'' | Presenter |} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * {{IMDb name|2918924}} * [http://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/alex-polizzi Representation at Curtis Brown Talent Agency] {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Polizzi, Alex}} Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:English people of Italian descent Category:Alumni of St Catherine's College, Oxford Category:British hoteliers Category:English television presenters Category:Businesspeople from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Category:People from Poplar, London Category:Forte family Category:Television personalities from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alex Polizzi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Polizzi) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Polizzi?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.