Sir Trevor McDonald: From offending Thatcher to facing Saddam and fronting News at Ten
In this episode, Sir Trevor McDonald joins Dermot Murnaghan to reflect on a broadcasting career that spanned generations. From his early days in Trinidad to fronting News at Ten, he recalls the clashes and confidences that shaped a lifetime in journalism: arguing with Margaret Thatcher over Nelson Mandela, walking silently through Saddam Hussein’s palace, facing down George W. Bush in the Oval Office, and listening to the quiet wisdom of a newly freed Mandela.In this episode, Trevor explains:Why he once feared Thatcher would never speak to him againWhat happened when George W. Bush ended their interview—and gave a personal tour insteadHow Saddam tried to charm him, and why he refused to shake the dictator’s handWhat Mandela taught him about forgiveness, dignity, and the power of dialogueWhy the news must remain impartial—and why his own views were never the pointA portrait of a journalist whose voice became part of national life, and the reason Britain tuned in at ten. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:01:58
Jonathan Dimbleby: Millions tuned in midweek—and it mattered
In this episode, Jonathan Dimbleby joins Dermot Murnaghan to reflect on a career defined by the power of serious journalism. From the golden age of current affairs television to the frontlines of forgotten conflicts, Dimbleby was there when journalism reached millions and meant something.He looks back on the moments that shaped him: the famine footage he had to smuggle out of Ethiopia, the quiet clarity of interviewing a reluctant Prince of Wales, and the long-form political encounters that held leaders to account before time limits and soundbites took over.In this episode, Jonathan explains:Why one of his earliest newsreading jobs ended in professional humiliationWhat it was like to sit down with politicians when interviews could still challenge powerWhat he still sees in King Charles, decades after their landmark interviewA reminder of a time when broadcast journalism had the time, the courage and an audience that cared. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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40:42
Joanna Gosling: When the headlines hit home and news gets personal
Joanna Gosling spent more than 30 years reporting the biggest stories of our time—but it was the quiet, human moments that finally got to her.In this episode, Joanna joins Dermot Murnaghan to reflect on the emotional toll of live news, the stories that stayed with her, and what it means when the person behind the headlines can no longer stay detached.From her first newsroom job with no experience to becoming one of the BBC’s most recognisable faces, Joanna shares how she built a career without shortcuts—and what finally made her walk away during the BBC’s painful news channel merger.In this episode, Joanna explains:• How she got her start in radio with no experience, no contacts, and a lot of persistence• Why she couldn’t hold it together when Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was finally released• The pressure female broadcasters still face over appearance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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46:05
Natasha Kaplinsky: Working with Dermot was the best job I ever had—I'd do it all again
Natasha Kaplinsky started her media career in the typing pool, and became one of Britain’s most recognisable broadcasters. In this deeply personal and candid episode, Natasha sits down with Dermot Murnaghan to revisit the defining moments of her career.From her early work with a then-unknown Sacha Baron Cohen to her breakout role on BBC Breakfast, Natasha reveals how she built a career without industry connections—writing daily letters just to get her foot in the door. Natasha opens up about being told exactly when (and if) she could speak on air, why she was so reluctant to join Strictly Come Dancing, and how she managed the spotlight after unintentionally winning it.Plus, a life-threatening accident at sea, the emotional cost of media intrusion during personal struggles, and why she eventually stepped away from prime-time roles to focus on what mattered most.This episode is packed with behind-the-scenes moments, unfiltered insight, and a powerful reminder of the human side of public life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:00:14
Jonathan Charles: Dodging Bullets, Facing Putin, and Meeting Mandela
He’s faced down Russian special forces, slipped into Chechnya disguised as a refugee, and shared a room with Nelson Mandela just days after his release. From the fall of the Berlin Wall to the frontlines of Iraq, Jonathan Charles has seen history unfold—often from just feet away.In this gripping episode, the legendary foreign correspondent reveals:• The moment Putin emerged—and the chilling change it signalled• Why missing the fall of the Berlin Wall by hours still haunts him• What it’s really like to report in a firefight—and the moment he knew it was time to stop• How meeting Mandela overturned all his assumptionsAn honest look at what it truly means to witness history up close. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Legends of News is a gripping, deeply personal podcast hosted by award-winning broadcaster Dermot Murnaghan, exploring the golden era of television news through the voices of those who shaped it. With over four decades in the newsroom himself, Dermot invites fellow household names to reveal what it was really like in front of the camera when the world changed in real time.Through candid conversations, listeners are granted a front-row seat to history: from breaking global events to chaotic newsrooms, unforgettable interviews with world leaders, and the occasional live blooper. As history echoes through current events, these news giants reflect on how the past informs the present—and share where life has taken them now.Legends of News is a warm, revealing, and inspiring chronicle of the stories that must not be forgotten Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
UK