Barker first worked for BBC Essex, before joining BBC London 94.9 in 2004 as a sports reporter. While at BBC London she worked as cover for sports reporters on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4. Beyond sports news, Barker presents the award winning Sportshour for BBC World Service and was presenter of Sportsworld for the BBC World Service until 2015. Since 2014 she has regularly presented on programmes across BBC Radio 5 Live, covering on 5 Live Sport, 5 Live Drive and Weekend Breakfast shows. She has become frequent panellist on BBC 5 Live's sports comedy show Fighting Talk winning the programme's "Rookie of the year award" in May 2015, and in the same year led 5 Live's coverage of the Women's World Cup. She has since hosted the 2019 Women's World Cup for 5 Live. Barker is known for her love of fancy dress and appeared in a parrot costume during a live edition of popular BBC radio 5 show Fighting Talk broadcast from Cardiff.