During her time at the BBC, O'Reilly won the Foreign Press, Royal Television Society and British Environment Media awards.
[2] O'Reilly was also well known as a co-presenter on the BBC's Midlands Today programme, alongside longtime regulars Kay Alexander and Sue Beardsmore.
After she was dropped from Countryfile in 2009, she successfully sued the BBC for age discrimination, saying at the start of her court case that she could no longer watch the programme after being axed from it, as it was too emotionally painful.
"[6] Some time after the case, O'Reilly spoke about how dozens of older BBC women presenters had their careers saved as a result of her legal action.
O'Reilly was also included in an exhibition at BBC Television Centre of women who had made a significant contribution towards equality at the Corporation since its formation in 1922.
"[16] In April 2013, O'Reilly revealed that she was putting her name forward to be selected as the Labour Party candidate for the Nuneaton seat at the 2015 general election.
[17] In April 2015, O'Reilly accepted Labour's offer to be the first independent Commissioner for Older People in England had it formed the Government following the May general election that year.