Journalism
Abbott was a researcher and reporter at Thames Television from 1980 to 1983 and then a researcher and reporter at the breakfast television company TV-am from 1983 to 1985
Personal life
Abbott married Richard Thompson, an architect, in 1991 and divorced in 1993; they have one son.[26]Thompson has been critical of Abbott for denying him access to his child for long periods.[27] Abbott chose as her son's godfather Jonathan Aitken, who had been her boss at TV-am and subsequently her 'pair' in divisions in the house.