Latest news with #KirstyWark
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Newsnight's Kirsty Wark breaks silence as replacements named months after exit
BBC presenter Kirsty Wark hosted Newsnight alongside Victoria Derbyshire prior to leaving last year, and she's now addressed the recent news of her 'permanent' replacements Former Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark has addressed the recent news of her replacements. She has shared her advice for them and also discussed the decision to reduce the length of the news and current affairs show's episodes. It was announced earlier this month that Paddy O'Connell, 59, and Matt Chorley, 42, have become permanent hosts on the BBC show. They had presented on "an ad hoc basis" since Kirsty, 70, made her final appearance in July last year. Kirsty - whose departure was announced in 2023 - had fronted the show alongside Victoria Derbyshire, 56. Kirsty hosted on Thursday and Friday nights, with Victoria now continuing to host from Monday to Wednesday each week. Paddy is now permanently the host on Thursdays, whilst Matt is officially the presenter on Friday nights. The BBC also confirmed in its announcement on May 7 that its political editor Nick Watt will still provide insights, whilst Faisal Islam, 47, and Katie Razzall, 54, will "continue to present regularly". Speaking to the Mirror She went on to compliment the wider team too. She told us whilst at the recent event: "It still means that Faisal's doing it and Katie Razzall's doing it, who's the most brilliant media editor, so I think it's a really, really thriving stable of people." Kirsty - who fronted the TV show for more than 30 years - suggested that Newsnight is "still the place" to make sense of the news on weeknights. She said: "I think y'know this is an era where there's so much going on that Newsnight is still the place to make sense of [it] all at the end of the day." She then addressed episodes now being around 10 minutes shorter that they were. The show - which now broadcasts as 30 minute episodes - underwent a "format change" last year after first being announced by the BBC back in 2023. After praising the show, Kirsty continued: "Okay, it's cut to 30 minutes. Sad about that in one way but on the other hand you have to move with the times." She concluded: "Y'know a good 30 minutes is fantastic at 10.30pm." Asked to share her advice for Paddy and Matt, the radio host said that the presenters should write down the name of interviewees on a piece of paper, even if they are well known. She said that was her "big piece of advice" for them. Kirsty told us whilst at the BAFTAs: "You actually might be interviewing the President of America [but] write their name down on a piece of paper. I have seen people come a cropper at the end of an interview when you go 'and thank you very much ...' on the upward inflection and you realise they've forgotten who they're interviewing in a nanosecond."
Scotsman
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Kirsty lights the way for journalism
The 2025 Bafta Television Awards showed how drama can move public policy. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Mr Bates vs The Post Office not only won the Bafta for limited drama; ITV was handed a separate award for backing the series that forced Westminster to confront a grave miscarriage of justice. The ceremony underlined how the screen industry across the UK is thriving, which is reflected in Scotland's screen sector. Buoyed by new studio space at Kelvin Hall, Leith and Bathgate, the industry attracting inward investment and skilled jobs far beyond London's orbit. Kirsty Wark with the Fellowship Award during the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards. Picture: Ian West/PA Wire Host Alan Cumming was the evenings host and showman-in-chief. He strode on in a Traitors‑style cloak—Cumming hosts the US version of the show—swapped into a blue tux, pale‑pink sparkles and signed off in dark velvet. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Blue Lights claimed drama series, Marisa Abela and Lennie James took the lead acting prizes for Industry and Mr Loverman respectively, while Ruth Jones and Danny Dyer scooped the comedy performances. Disney's Shōgun lifted the international award, and Netflix's once‑fancied Baby Reindeer left with just a single statuette, confounding the expectations of many. The evening's most heartfelt moment belonged to Scottish broadcasting legend Kirsty Wark, honoured with the Bafta Fellowship for her outstanding contribution to news. Knowing Kirsty as a fellow journalist and having also been subject to her forensic questioning as a politician, there is absolutely no doubt about how deserving she was for the award. Her standing ovation echoed across social media, proof that journalism is valued by the public.
Times
12-05-2025
- General
- Times
Monty Don: A window box can be as joyful as a big garden
His two-acre plot in Herefordshire is one of the most beautiful gardens in England, but Monty Don insists there is just as much joy to be taken from a window box. Don, 69, said gardening, which has helped him to deal with both grief and depression, can be a huge source of pleasure, and urged people not to be put off just because they do not have a garden. Speaking to Kirsty Wark on the V&A Dundee podcast today, he said: 'I completely support that whole view of getting people to garden something, anything, anywhere, anyhow. 'When you have a window box, the pleasure that you can get from seeing something grow is just as great as seeing what I do in my garden outside
Edinburgh Live
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
BBC icon Kirsty Wark shares huge mistake she never made on Newsnight
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Veteran broadcaster Kirsty Wark is set to receive the highest BAFTA honour, a reflection of her exemplary career. At 70, the Scottish television staple is being recognised with a BAFTA Fellowship at the upcoming Television Awards next month. Having spent three decades at the forefront of BBC's Newsnight, Kirsty became known for her incisive questioning of politicians and notable figures. "Television has been my home for 40 years... I continue to learn every day from people with awe-inspiring skills who have become treasured colleagues and dear friends," she expressed in a heartfelt statement. Stepping down from Newsnight last July, Kirsty has moved on to present Radio 4's Front Row editions from Scotland. (Image: 2024 BBC) She recently spoke to Metro about the unexpected but esteemed BAFTA recognition, calling it a "huge surprise" and a "great honour". "I'd be surprised if this was an award you can get before you're 50. I'm way over that now," she said. "I'm still looking forward in my career, but I think this is one for looking back at the different things I've done and the way I've learned and the people I've worked with." While discussing her legendary interview style, Kirsty opened up about a huge mistake that she's managed to avoid throughout her career, reports the Daily Record. "My favourite interviews are when you allow people the dignity to say their points of view and you're not being intrusive," she said. (Image: BBC) "The thing I hate most about presenters is when they grandstand. In tricky situations, I want to bring a compassion and a rigour. My role is to help people tell their stories." Speaking on the future of the BBC, Kirsty expressed her hopes of having a female director general, but isn't calling for the immediate departure of the current head, Tim Davie. "I'm not saying, 'Tim, go now,' but I think it's time for a woman," she said "The BBC has so many other ways it's on the front foot - technology, iPlayer, BBC audio and other things - and I would really love to see a woman take hold of that." Newsnight is available to stream on BBC iPlayer
Daily Record
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC Newsnight legend Kirsty Walk shares biggest mistake she's avoided during long career
Newsnight icon Kirsty Wark has reflected on her long-spanning career ahead of receiving her BAFTA accolade. The 70-year-old presenter and journalist will be awarded the BAFTA Fellowship at this year's Television Awards next month. The Scottish star has been honoured due to her "trailblazing" career over the years, following three decades at the helm of Newsnight, where she held several politicians and public figures to account. "Television has been my home for 40 years... I continue to learn every day from people with awe-inspiring skills who have become treasured colleagues and dear friends," Kirsty said in a statement. The host stepped down from her role at the BBC Two show last July, and has since began presenting editions of Radio 4's Front Row from Scotland. Speaking to Metro , Kirsty explained that it was a "huge surprise" and a "great honour" to receive the prestigious BAFTA award. "I'd be surprised if this was an award you can get before you're 50. I'm way over that now," she said. "I'm still looking forward in my career, but I think this is one for looking back at the different things I've done and the way I've learned and the people I've worked with." While discussing her legendary interview style, Kirsty opened up about a huge mistake that she's managed to avoid throughout her career. "My favourite interviews are when you allow people the dignity to say their points of view and you're not being intrusive," she said. "The thing I hate most about presenters is when they grandstand. In tricky situations, I want to bring a compassion and a rigour. My role is to help people tell their stories." As she looked to the future of the BBC, Kirsty shared her hope for a woman to take over as director general of the corporation - though she isn't urging Tim Davie to step down right away. "I'm not saying, 'Tim, go now,' but I think it's time for a woman," she confirmed. "The BBC has so many other ways it's on the front foot - technology, iPlayer, BBC audio and other things - and I would really love to see a woman take hold of that." Newsnight is available to stream on BBC iPlayer
