O'Connell was one of the main presenters on the daily BBC Two business news programme "Working Lunch" and anchored the show every Friday and occasionally at other times, presenting alongside Adam Shaw or Nik Wood. He joined the programme in 2003 and produced a number of special reports alongside his presentation duties. He left the programme on 26 September 2008, ahead of a relaunch with new presenters. He also appeared regularly on "BBC Breakfast", presenting the programme's business news segments from the London Stock Exchange, filling in for regular business reporter Declan Curry.