Latest news with #Newsnight
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Kirsty Wark asked me to fetch her a cup of tea and a Penguin biscuit
Certainly, she can appear regal to the journalistic peasantry. I remember a packed press conference where she breenged in with her crew. Suddenly we – self-important, like everyone in our trade – all felt like minions. She asked me to fetch her a cup of tea and a Penguin biscuit ('one with a green wrapper'). Wow. What ingredients went into creating such an imperious personage? Well, being born was a useful start. This auspicious event occurred on 3 February 1955 in Dumfries. Kirsty's father, who earned a Military Cross for heroism at Normandy, was a solicitor. A convivial raconteur, he also liked spending time on his own fly-fishing. 'I'm sure he was reflecting on the horrors of war, ' Kirsty told the I newspaper recently. Her mother was a teacher who, after one early Newsnight interview, phoned to complain that she'd split an infinitive. Poor Kirsty must have been tempted to tell her mother where to boldly go. She spent her early years in Castle Douglas before moving to Kilmarnock. After attending all-girl, 'independent' Wellington School in Ayr, she studied history, specifically Scottish Studies, at Embra Yoonie. In 1976, aged 21, Wark joined the BBC as a graduate researcher and soon became a producer for Radio Scotland, displaying enthusiasm and a willingness to make things happen. Wish I'd tried that. (Image: Jamie Simpson) BOXING CLEVER WARK switched to television in 1982, producing Reporting Scotland, Agenda and Current Account. She then moved into presenting various Scottish political programmes before moving to UK network television as part of the Breakfast Time brigade. In 1988, she reported on the Lockerbie bombing and, in 1990, made her mark as an interviewer when she confronted, so to say, Margaret Thatcher. The Iron Lady was incensed with her abrasive questions about the poll tax, and complained afterwards that she'd 'interrupted me more than I've ever been interrupted'. Later, it emerged that Wark had just learned she was pregnant with her first baby, and so was determined to remain 'preternaturally calm' for both their sakes. In 1993, she joined Newsnight, BBC 2's mumphing aboot politics show, in a role that was to last three decades. She stood down last summer, a week after the General Election. In her time, she has faced accusations of being too close to Labour. Donald Dewar, former Labour First Minister and a close friend, appointed her to a panel choosing the design for the new Scottish Parliament – with hilarious consequences! Later, the independent production company she co-owned was an awarded a BBC contract to make programmes about … construction of the Scottish Parliament building. Whoopsie. In 2005, she invited another Labour First Minister and long-time friend, Jack McConnell, now Lord McConnell of Proletariat, and his family to stay at her Majorcan holiday home over New Year. Doubt was cast on Wark's neutrality and suitability to anchor political programmes, with respected quality newspaper the Daily Mail dubbing the episode 'Villagate'. Importantly, it added that she had a 'big, almost masculine voice that belies a worked-on slim figure and good legs often hidden by trousers'. Trousers, ye say? However, several observers considered the 'scandal' overblown, with Newsnight's editor pointing out that many media peeps had old pals who went on to hold office. 'The important issue is your ability to ask tough questions and that is not a problem with Kirsty Wark …' READ MORE Rab McNeil: Get your Boots on, we're going shopping for unicorn hair gel Rab McNeil: No wonder the whole Scottish nation loves Nicola (no, not that one) Scottish Icons: William McGonagall - The poet who right bad verses wrote still floats some folk's vessel or boat Scottish Icons: There is a lot of tripe talked about haggis – so here's the truth ECK OF AN ATTITUDE ALEX Salmond was a problem for Kirsty Wark. In 2007, after an interview with then First Mniister, the BBC received 120 complaints from entirely disinterested individuals, and issued a public apology regretting Wark's 'rude and dismissive' tone. In 2020, after she presented a programme about Salmond's sexual assault trial – in which he was acquitted – more than 900 complaints of bias were made. Wark responded: 'Alex Salmond was found innocent, not guilty, there is no disputing that in any way. What we were doing was giving background to the whole thing, and we did that fairly.' Politically, she has described herself as 'soft left', with pals in all parties. Late Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy called her a 'fierce foe when the studio lights go on, great fun in the bar'. Late Labour MP Robin Cook MP said at least she let folk answer the question, 'unlike those from the Paxman and Humphrys school'. She herself describes her approach as 'forensic' – certainly leaves blood on the floor sometimes – and contends that she's professional enough to 'leave my own views at the door when I come to work'. Forby politics, she's right arty and, indeed, has written two novels. She presented BBC Two's Late Show from 1990 to 1993 and, in 2006, interviewed playwright Harold Pinter, resisting the temptation to get back at the old scrote by leaving long silences. She made cameo appearances in Doctor Who and Absolutely Fabulous. In 2013, she appeared on the inexplicably popular Great British Bake Off, but has resisted 'many times' invitations to do Strictly Come Dancing, another programme that has sapped the nation's morale. More consequentially, she has highlighted problems of the menopause, believing people are reluctant to discuss it. Moving swiftly on, two months ago she bagged a BAFTA Fellowship, with BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip praising her 'enormous charm and wit'. GA-GA FOR RADIO ALWAYS based in Glasgow, Wark has lately been appearing in BBC Scotland's Good For Her, in a running sketch that follows a woman who can't stop speaking as if she's delivering the news. Kirsty Wark misses the buzz of Newsnight, but is content for the moment presenting arts magazine show Front Row and history series The Reunion on BBC Radio 4. She likes claes and, in 2013, was deemed one of the 50 best-dressed over-50s by fashion magazine, the Guardian. In other news, we can reveal she loves gardening and homemade jam, having spent several years in recovery from an addiction to banana cake. Meanwhile, in the interests of truth, that currently under-rated concept in which she takes such a great interest, I should clarify that, at the start of this authoritative exposé, I was only joking about the cup of tea and a Penguin. It was a Twix.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Heartbreaking question Fiona Phillips asked her husband 72 times on drive
Fiona Phillips's husband Martin Frizell has told how her advancing condition has left her increasingly confused and isolated – unable to understand why she is being taken to hospital In a deeply emotional interview, former This Morning editor Martin Frizell has told how his wife Fiona Phillips has been severely affected by early-onset Alzheimer's. Fiona was just 61 in 2022 when she received her devastating diagnosis, and the condition has already worsened dramatically. He told Newsnight 's Victoria Derbyshire: "I used to say good days and bad days, now I just say bad days or wretched days, I think wretched is a great word for it." He recalled one heartbreaking taxi ride on the way to a hospital appointment where Fiona, now 64, was completely disoriented: 'In the cab ride, she asked me, 'Where are we going' 72 times.' Martin explained that Fiona had to see doctors about an unexplained pain that may or may not be directly connected to her condition: 'She's got a secondary pain. We don't know where the pain's coming from. We don't know if it's physiological. 'I couldn't drive her because she panics, and it's bad enough just driving with that too. I wouldn't take her on public transport because I'm frightened.' He explained that Fiona still looks just as she did when she was a regular face on TV, and so there's a good chance that she might be approached by a member of the public, leading to confusion and distress. He said that Fiona couldn't understand why she was in the taxi, and kept repeating the same four words: 'I'd say, 'We're going to see the doctor and hopefully he'll take the pain away,' and then, literally 15 seconds later, [she'd say] 'Where are we going?'' In perhaps his most heartbreaking admission, Martin confessed that he would have preferred it if his wife had been diagnosed with cancer instead of Alzheimer's. "My mum died from [cancer],' he said, 'My father had cancer, so I know what cancer can do. 'But I don't think Fiona is ever going to be able to taste a glass of wine again, walk on a beach properly again, go on holiday again, go to the theatre, go to the cinema, drive her car, or cook a meal for her children.' He added: 'My worry is that on her deathbed, whenever that may come, and hopefully it's a long time from now, will she even know who we are?' With cancer, Martin said, there is always a chance that the condition can go into remission, or at least be slowed down. But he added that, by contrast, there is no hope when it comes to Alzheimer's. In November 2007, Fiona appeared in the documentary The Killer in Me, during which former England footballer John Barnes, political commentator Andrew Neil, and Heart FM DJ Toby Anstis all found out their risk of developing 11 major diseases, including cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. In August 2008, Fiona stepped down from helming ITV 's flagship Breakfast show GMTV Today, and, in a poignant moment, Martin shared a clip of her last words on the show, saying : 'It's been such a privilege sharing my mornings with you, and I won't forget you.' This week sees the publication of Fiona's memoir, Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer's, which is co-written by Martin and journalist Alison Phillips. The book charts the relentless progress of her condition — including memory loss, impaired speech, and difficulty with everyday tasks — it also highlights the challenges faced by those with early-onset dementia and their carers.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'We used to have good days and bad days - now it's just bad days or wretched days': Fiona Phillips' husband Martin Frizell on nursing his Alzheimer's-hit wife
Fiona Phillips' husband has said his Alzheimer's-hit wife 'used to have good days and bad days - now it's just bad or wretched days'. Ms Phillips was just 61 when she found out in 2022 that she had early-onset Alzheimer's. Since then the 64-year-old has been cared for by her husband, former This Morning editor Martin Frizell. Mr Frizell made the comment in a new interview with BBC Newsnight in which he spoke candidly about the former GMTV presenter's battle with the memory-eroding condition. He said: 'I used to say good days and bad days, now I just say bad days or wretched days, I think wretched is a great word for it.' Mr Frizell said the day of the interview the couple had gone to see a doctor and Ms Phillips was repeatedly unable to remember their destination. 'In the cab ride, 35 minutes, she asked me 72 times, where are we going?' he said. He also said that his wife is no longer able to drive herself 'because she panics' and he is fearful of taking her on public transport because 'she doesn't look any different' which might lead strangers to approach her - something which would leave her 'flummoxed'. Fiona Phillips' husband, journalist Mr Frizell, spoke candidly about the former GMTV presenter's battle withAlzheimer's in a new interview with BBC Newsnight The couple, who wed in 1997, share two sons who are also involved in looking after their ailing mother. On July 17 Phillips released a new book, Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer's, written with the help of Mr Frizell and journalist Alison Phillips, a long-standing friend. The tome is described as an attempt to 'chronicle what was happening to her in the hope that her book would help others.' In the Newsnight interview, Mr Frizell talked movingly about his wife's deterioration as he watched her lose interest in things that previously brought her pleasure like cooking and her wardrobe of 'wonderful clothes' that now mean nothing to her: He said: 'She hasn't really cooked for two years. I was saying to somebody the other day, the most heartbreaking thing, lots of heartbreaking points in our lives just now, but downstairs in a basement, I've got a door wedged open by cookery books, and I don't know what to do because she's never going to cook again. 'Do I donate them? Do I take them to the dump? What do I do with them? Same with her clothes as well. 'She will wear, and everybody who has got someone who's going through dementia will know this, we are just pretty much sharing our experience; she's got the most wonderful wardrobe of wonderful clothes, but she'll wear the same thing, the same t-shirt, the same pair of trousers, sleep in it if need be.' Mr Frizell also says that as shocking as it may sound, he wishes his wife Fiona had contracted cancer rather than Alzheimer's. Fiona Phillips has not cooked in years and has no time for her dressing room of designer clothes as she battles Alzheimer's, her husband Martin Frizell has revealed. Pictured: The couple in 2010 Martin Frizell said at times he wishes his wife had got cancer rather than Alzheimer's as at least then 'she would have had some hope' and been able to enjoy life's little pleasures He said: 'At least she would have had some hope, hope of, and I know you've been through it and it's awful, my mom died from it, my father had cancer, so I know what cancer can do, but I don't think Fiona's ever going to be able to taste a glass of wine again, walk on a beach properly again, go on holiday again, go to the theatre, go to cinema, drive her car, cook a meal for her children, and my worry is on her deathbed, whenever that may come, and hopefully it will be in a long time from now, will she even know who we are? 'I think with cancer though, of course it can be awful and I'm not trying to put that down, but at least there's a hope, there's the chance remission can take you to the end of your life. There's no remission for Alzheimer's.' Mr Frizell also touched on the level of attention given to cancer and cancer care compared to Alzheimer's. 'For every one Alzheimer's researcher, there are four cancer researchers,' he said. 'I'll tell you what I think. I mean I'm not campaigning about this. I'm not going to be the poster boy for this. 'This is pretty much all we're going to talk about, as well as the book, that's it. But again, this HS2, it cost a billion pounds a mile. If you give a billion pounds to Dr. Catherine Mummery at UCLH, I bet we'll come up with something. 'And this is, as you said, a third of us are going to get it. Of every baby that's born this week or today, one in three of them is going to get this. 'If this was a COVID disease that came out, that was going to wipe out a third of humanity, we'd come up with some sort of answer quite quickly, wouldn't we? 'But this is 120 years now and nothing has been done in Alzheimer's because, well, "They've had a good life."
The National
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
BBC blasted for burying Afghan cover-up under MasterChef stories
The corporation came under fire on Tuesday evening when it led its online news homepage on the news that cooking show host John Torode had been sacked – hours after it emerged that successive governments had kept secret an asylum plan for Afghans after an enormous data breach was feared to have put thousands of lives at risk. Former Newsnight journalist Lewis Goodall, now host of The News Agents podcast, tweeted: 'I am loath to criticise my former BBC colleagues and I'm aware they weren't in on the story. 'But the idea of a TV presenter losing his job being the top story on the website as opposed to Parliament being kept in the dark for two years about the Afghan data leak is risible.' On the News at 10, the first 13 minutes of the programme was devoted to an exclusive interview with US president Donald Trump and developments in the war in Ukraine before turning to the Torode (above) story and the BBC's annual report. The programme then turned to Chancellor Rachel Reeves's Mansion House speech – which unveiled a package of reforms to deregulate the financial markets – before turning to the Afghanistan cover-up. A super-injunction – the first ever obtained by the UK Government – was lifted on Wednesday permitting reporting on the story. READ MORE: BBC Gaza documentary review could give bosses 'cover' on Palestine, expert says It was revealed that a Ministry of Defence (MoD) officer had leaked the data of thousands of Afghans who had collaborated with the UK military during the war – which went unnoticed until 18 months later. The MoD only became aware of the breach after it was mentioned in a Facebook group in August 2023. Rishi Sunak's government responded by creating a new asylum route for Afghans – on which the media was unable to report because of a gagging order. Ministers feared those who had their personal details exposed would be at risk of persecution from the Taliban. A super-injunction prevents reporting on certain topics but also prevents reporting on the fact that there even is an injunction. The cost to the taxpayer for the blunder is expected to be at least £800 million – though more might have to be paid out if the Government is successfully sued for compensation by those affected. There is an interim injunction in place which prevents reporting on further details yet to be revealed. The story splashed the front pages of eight national newspapers. The BBC was approached for comment.
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Breaking news!... Kirsty Wark swaps the autocue to take on TV comedy role
She's known for her no-nonsense approach when holding public figures to account. However, former news anchor and journalist Kirsty Wark has shown that she's game for a laugh, too, after sending herself up in a new Scots comedy show. Ms Wark appears in Good For Her, on BBC Scotland, in a running sketch that follows a woman who can't stop speaking as if she's delivering the news. As the gag continues in snippets throughout the show, the condition is seen to affect every facet of the woman's life. In one scene, she and a man she has been dating go out for dinner in Glasgow, with the afflicted woman continuing her dry delivery when the dialogue is mere chit-chat. The date is briefly interrupted by Ms Wark, who, it is made clear, is an old acquaintance of the central character – played by comedian and show writer Zara Gladman. However, Ms Wark reveals that she too cannot converse without the same deadpan delivery. Ms Wark, 70, is known for her austere presence and keen questioning on the BBC's flagship current affairs programme Newsnight. She has covered several general elections and a host of major international news events, as well as presenting BBC2 arts programme The Late Show and fronting Words with Wark and The Kirsty Wark Show. Ms Wark was named Journalist of the Year by Bafta Scotland in 1993 and Best Television Presenter in 1997. She was also honoured with a Bafta Fellowship earlier this year. Never one to shy from controversy, she responded to a plea from Tory MP Andrew Rosindell for a return to broadcasting the national anthem by saying at the end of a Newsnight broadcast that they were 'incredibly happy to oblige' – before playing a clip of the Sex Pistols' God Save the Queen, which was banned by the BBC when it was released during the late Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. But Ms Wark has also previously taken a lighter approach to broadcasting, winning the Star Baker accolade in The Great British Bake Off, appearing in Celebrity MasterChef, and playing a cameo role as herself in Doctor Who and Absolutely Fabulous. Ms Wark stepped down from Newsnight in 2024 and now presents Front Row on BBC Radio 4. She is also working on documentaries and her third novel.
