Sir Trevor McDonald: From offending Thatcher to facing Saddam and fronting News at Ten

Legends of News

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Friday, 27 June 2025 - 1 hour 2 minutes

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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