Legends of News
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.
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Episodes
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Nick Owen: Five decades in journalism, live television, and sport
Saturday, 12 July 2025
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 ...
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Anne Diamond OBE: Behind TV-am’s turnaround, ’80s tabloid frenzy and the campaign to save babies’ lives
Friday, 4 July 2025
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 challengin...
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Sir Trevor McDonald: From offending Thatcher to facing Saddam and fronting News at Ten
Friday, 27 June 2025
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 th...
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Jonathan Dimbleby: Millions tuned in midweek—and it mattered
Saturday, 21 June 2025
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 explain...
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Joanna Gosling: When the headlines hit home and news gets personal
Friday, 13 June 2025
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...
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Natasha Kaplinsky: Working with Dermot was the best job I ever had—I'd do it all again
Friday, 6 June 2025
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 C...
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Jonathan Charles: Dodging Bullets, Facing Putin, and Meeting Mandela
Wednesday, 28 May 2025
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 over...
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John Sergeant: From War Zones to Westminster and waltzing on Strictly
Wednesday, 21 May 2025
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 resignationH...
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OnAir Today
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More Music Drive5:00pm - 7:00pm
Damian is on holiday. so it's time for even MORE tunes on your More Music Drive! Get home with the best soundtrack going in the North East!
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Sue Sweeney7:00pm - 9:00pm
Sue is live across the County in conversation with you.
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60's on Sunday (Repeat)9:00pm - 10:00pm
Another chance to hear 60's on Sunday from the weekend.
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80's Mixtape Repeat10:00pm - Midnight
Another chance to hear The 80's Mixtape from Saturday Night