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© Legends Of News
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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.
17 Episodes
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Martha Kearney, one of Britain’s most respected political journalists, joins Dermot Murnaghan to reflect on a career that’s taken her from the phones at LBC to the BBC’s Today programme. She talks about covering elections from the battle bus, reporting through the peace process in Northern Ireland, and interviewing leaders from Thatcher to Blair.Martha recalls the chaos of early commercial radio, the moment Margaret Thatcher turned on her, and the brutal 3am starts that came with fronting Britain’s flagship news show. She reflects on how politics, journalism, and public trust have changed — and what it still means to hold power to account.Follow Dermot:@DermotMurnaghanInstagram: @legendsofnewspodcastX: @LegendsofNewsFollow Sassy+:Instagram: @sassyplus_/LinkedIn: in/sassy plus/TikTok: @sassyplus_
Tim Marshall, one of Britain’s most experienced foreign correspondents and bestselling authors, joins Dermot Murnaghan to discuss how punk rock, politics, and a passion for maps shaped his career. From leaving school at sixteen to reporting from war zones and writing the global phenomenon Prisoners of Geography, Tim reflects on four decades of journalism and geopolitics.He recalls bluffing his way to Paris as a correspondent who could “barely say bonjour,” and covering seismic events from Bosnia to Baghdad and Kabul. Tim explains why geography still defines power, how the world’s borders shape conflict. He also talks candidly about burnout, the reality of war reporting, and rediscovering his voice through writing.Follow Dermot: @DermotMurnaghanInstagram: @legendsofnewspodcastX: @LegendsofNewsFollow Sassy+:Instagram: @sassyplus_/LinkedIn: in/sassy plus/TikTok: @sassyplus_www.sassyplus.comFor more information email: LegendsofNews@Sassyplus.comA @Sassy+ original podcast series Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From the newsroom of Grampian TV to anchoring News at Ten and launching BBC Breakfast Time, Selina Scott’s career is packed with moments that changed the face of broadcasting. She recalls the leap from regional reporting to national television, the pressure of covering the Falklands War live, and the intensity of fronting breakfast TV under constant tabloid scrutiny.She talks about joining ITN to read the News at Ten, her move to the BBC, and breaking into American television with CBS while still presenting The Clothes Show. Along the way, there are unforgettable behind-the-scenes stories — including an extraordinary dinner with the future King Charles on a remote Scottish island.Follow Dermot:@DermotMurnaghanInstagram: @legendsofnewspodcastX: @LegendsofNewsFollow Sassy+:Instagram: @sassyplus_/LinkedIn: in/sassy plus/TikTok: @sassyplus_A Sassy + original podcast series
Kirsty Young is one of the most distinctive voices in British broadcasting. From reading continuity announcements on BBC Radio Scotland to hosting Desert Island Discs, Kirsty recalls breaking TV news tradition by standing up behind the newsdesk, interviewing Tony Blair on launch night, and anchoring live as 9/11 unfolded — including an on-air interview with her husband in Manhattan.They explore what it means to find your voice as a journalist, the privilege of covering Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, and the power of music to reveal the truth about people. Kirsty also reflects on how Channel 5 News rehearsals prepared her for launch night, and why the chaos of live breaking news still excites her.Kirsty also reveals:Why she never watches herself back on TVHow radio remains her first loveThe thrill of “finding her tribe” when she first walked into a newsroomFor more information email: LegendsofNews@Sassyplus.comFollow Dermot: @DermotMurnaghanInstagram: @legendsofnewspodcastX: @LegendsofNewsFollow Sassy+: Instagram: @sassyplus_/ Linkedin: in/sassy plus/ TikTok: @sassyplus_ www.sassyplus.comA @Sassy+ original podcast series
He’s survived bombs, interviewed dictators, and come through ten near-death experiences — yet John Simpson has never stopped chasing the story.In this episode, the BBC’s World Affairs Editor unpacks more than half a century of frontline reporting. From his unlikely break at the BBC in 1966 to revolutions, wars, and encounters with world leaders.He recalls covering the Northern Ireland Troubles in the early 1970s, the fall of the Shah in 1979, and later wars in the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan.He recalls the chaos of Baghdad as the city fell in 2003, and the unforgettable flight that brought Ayatollah Khomeini back to Iran. Alongside the global events are personal costs — shrapnel wounds, hearing loss, and the toll of constant danger — and his belief that talking through trauma kept him going.He also reveals:Why presenting the news nearly ended his careerThe shock of witnessing Saddam Hussein’s executionHis enduring affection for Iran, even after being bannedFor more information email: LegendsofNews@Sassyplus.comFollow Dermot: @DermotMurnaghanInstagram: @legendsofnewspodcastX: @LegendsofNewsFollow Sassy+: Instagram: @sassyplus_/ Linkedin: in/sassy plus/ TikTok: @sassyplus_ www.sassyplus.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
She reported from the wreckage of Lockerbie, was held at gunpoint in the Balkans, and interviewed a dictator accused of ethnic cleansing.Carole Walker looks back on three decades as a BBC correspondent — from the horror of war and terrorism to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the political earthquakes that reshaped Britain.She also reveals:The surreal moment a Moscow doctor pulled a bug out of his wall before speaking freely for the first timeHow it felt watching statues of Soviet power hauled down in Moscow’s squaresWhat life was really like on Tony Blair’s 1997 battle busThe night David Cameron realised he’d lost Brexit — and his jobWhy younger generations turning to TikTok for politics leaves her uneasyFor more information email: LegendsofNews@Sassyplus.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Dermot Murnaghan welcomes broadcaster and psychologist Dr. Sian Williams for a conversation about journalism, resilience, and the deeply human side of news. From her early days in Liverpool newsrooms to becoming one of the youngest editors on Radio 4 and eventually a trauma psychologist, Sian shares stories of imposter syndrome, newsroom sexism, learning to run in flat shoes, and why being a good journalist starts with listening. She also discusses her shift into psychology, driven by witnessing the mental toll of trauma — both on those in front of the camera and those behind it.Sian also reveals:The night she realised journalism isn’t about scoops — it’s about holding fragile stories with careHow being mistaken for a guest at a screen test led to a job as a BBC News presenterWhat it meant to be embedded in Liverpool during the Hillsborough disaster — and why it changed herFor more information email LegendsofNews@Sassyplus.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From a decade of men-only bars and newsroom sexism, Christa Ackroyd fought her way to the front line of British journalism.In this episode, Dermot Murnaghan sits down with pioneering journalist and broadcaster Christa Ackroyd for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation about local journalism, resilience, and the role of women in news.Christa reflects on her trailblazing career in regional television, including two decades dominating the airwaves across Yorkshire on Calendar and Look North. She shares the emotional story of reporting the Yorkshire Ripper murders at just 19 years old, her battles against misogyny in the newsroom, and how the Brontë sisters shaped her drive to defy expectations.Christa also reveals:How newsroom sexism nearly kept her off air during the Gulf War — and how she fought backThe moment she realised journalism wasn’t about scoops, but about standing with the voicelessHow Richard Whiteley, granny knickers and laughter shaped 20 years of legendary broadcastsWhy she believes regional news has lost its soulThe lesson she learned from the Brontës: break rules, challenge power, and don’t wait to be invitedWhy she wants her gravestone to read: “Just one more thing…”For more information email LegendsofNews@Sassyplus.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Dermot Murnaghan sits down with journalist, author and broadcaster Gavin Esler for a wide-ranging conversation that spans Northern Ireland, the White House, and a memorable visit to Dolly Parton’s home. Gavin opens up about his early career during the Troubles, his run-ins with BBC bureaucracy, and the journalism that helped free innocent men wrongly imprisoned after IRA bombings. He reflects on his years in the United States reporting on Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, his time anchoring Newsnight during its heyday, and how both the media landscape and political accountability have changed. Gavin also reveals: What it was like to report on Obama’s rise, from Chicago blues clubs Why sectarian football chants nearly turned him off the game The challenge of holding power to account in an age of "truth decay" For more information email LegendsofNews@Sassyplus.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Dermot Murnaghan talks to broadcaster Nick Owen about a career that began in local newspapers and led to national fame—culminating in his role at the heart of breakfast television during the 1980s. Nick shares how he helped rescue a failing TV-am, the unexpected promotion that made him front-page news, and what he learned working alongside Anne Diamond. He also speaks openly about his prostate cancer diagnosis, the surgery that followed, and why he’s now backing calls for a national screening programme. Nick also reveals: Why he nearly turned down TV-am—until a hotel TV in Sydney changed his mind How Greg Dyke and Anne Diamond helped turn the show around Why he's urging men to get tested and pushing for a national campaignA story of a life in news and sport—and a fight to help save men’s lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Dermot Murnaghan is joined by broadcasting legend Anne Diamond OBE, for a journey through journalism, personal loss, and untold wartime history. From turning around TV-am to uncovering her father’s secret role in inventing radar, Anne reflects on a career built on curiosity, compassion, and determination.She opens up about the behind-the-scenes battles at TV-am, being tabloid fodder in the '80s, and how tragedy spurred her to launch a public health campaign that saved tens of thousands of babies' lives.Anne also reveals:Why Dennis Healey stormed off live TV after challenging her on airWhat it took to cover the fall of the Berlin Wall as chaos unfolded around herHow she coped with grief and turned it into a national campaignA broadcaster who defined morning television — and turned personal experience into lasting change for families nationwide. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
John Sergeant has reported from 25 countries, covered the Vietnam War and The Troubles, served as the BBC’s Chief Political Correspondent for over a decade, and became ITV’s Political Editor before turning to documentaries and popular television. With bestselling books, acclaimed series like Britain’s Flying Past, and that unforgettable Strictly stint, his voice remains as distinctive—and entertaining—as ever.In this candid and often hilarious conversation, John reflects on: How he wanted to write jokes for a livingHis chaotic encounter with Margaret Thatcher moments before her resignationHow reporting during The Troubles and Vietnam shaped his journalismThe Strictly Come Dancing phenomenon and why it made him a national treasureAnd the unexpected joy of leaving Westminster for barges, bombers, and boats From political satire to reporting on the frontline, John takes us on a journey through his career and offers surprising insights into the craft of broadcast news in its heyday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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