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Broadcast journalist & speaker

Trevor McDonald

Transform news coverage with Sir Trevor McDonald OBE, speaker and distinguished broadcast journalist. Trevor works with media organisations to deliver impactful storytelling and authoritative reporting, recognised globally for his groundbreaking interviews with world leaders and award-winning documentaries.

Trusted by Lawrie Cornish

Trevor McDonald
Trevor McDonald

Trevor McDonald

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£11k–25k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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Book Sir Trevor

London, United Kingdom

Starting from

£11k–25k

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

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Trevor McDonald's biography

At a glance

  • Renowned British newsreader and presenter
  • First black reporter at ITN
  • Conducted historic interviews with global figures like Nelson Mandela, Saddam Hussein

Sir Trevor McDonald OBE is a distinguished Trinidadian-British journalist and newsreader, celebrated for his impactful career in television news. Known primarily for presenting ITN’s News at Ten and Tonight with Trevor McDonald, he has also produced powerful documentaries on topics such as Death Row and notable UK crime cases.


Born in Trinidad in 1939, Trevor began his media journey as a radio reporter before moving to London in the early 1960s. He joined the BBC Overseas Regional Service as a producer in 1969 and later moved to ITN in 1973, where he covered pivotal events including the Northern Ireland troubles and Britain’s negotiations to join the Common Market. Rising to prominence, he became ITN’s Diplomatic Correspondent and anchored Channel Four News, reporting from key global locations such as Egypt, Israel, and the Soviet Union.


In 1992, Trevor became the solo anchor for News at Ten, where he delivered groundbreaking interviews with figures like Nelson Mandela, Saddam Hussein, and Bill Clinton. His work in journalism has garnered numerous awards, including the Richard Dimbleby Award and a BAFTA for his coverage of the 1985 Philippine elections.


From 1999 to 2007, he hosted ITV’s Tonight, conducting in-depth interviews with world leaders like George W. Bush and Tony Blair. Trevor’s compelling documentary work includes Inside Death Row and Trevor McDonald’s Indian Train Adventure.


Knighted in 1999, Trevor has also championed charitable causes, supporting organisations like the Prince’s Trust and promoting literacy and language education. His 2019 autobiography, An Improbable Life, offers a reflective look at his remarkable career.


Trevor remains one of Britain’s most trusted voices in news, celebrated for his contributions to journalism and broadcasting.

Sir Trevor's showreel and videos

Why we recommend booking Sir Trevor

Book Sir Trevor McDonald for your event to inspire and engage your audience with his captivating storytelling and unparalleled insights. His rich experiences and unique perspective on pivotal historical moments will leave a lasting impact, making your event memorable and thought-provoking. Don’t miss the chance to hear from a true media legend.

Check Sir Trevor's availability

Trusted by Lawrie Cornish

Testimonials

Sir Trevor McDonald is the loveliest man in the world everyone at the event just fell in love with him he is amazing and such a superb man. Inspiration for all. He spoke beautifully, was so kind and engaging with everyone and played a key role in helping make the event such a big success.

Lawrie Cornish

What an honour it was to host Sir Trevor; he was incredible, and I can't believe the number of people who turned up tonight.

Deborah

Sir Trevor was an excellent speaker, he has experienced so much and met so many people from his 30+ years as working as a journalist. He told some very funny stories about when he interviewed George Bush and also when he interviewed Sadam Hussein in Baghdad during the first Gulf War.

AIRMIC

Featured Projects

Trevor McDonald - Tonight With Trevor McDonald book cover
Trevor McDonald - On Cricket book cover
Trevor McDonald - An Improbable Life: The Autobiography Trevor McDonald book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Trevor McDonald for my next event?

To book Trevor McDonald, email trevor.mcdonald@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Sir Trevor's availability and speaking fee. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and about your audience.

What is Trevor McDonald's speaking style like?

Trevor McDonald draws on decades of frontline journalism to structure sessions around landmark interviews and eyewitness accounts, using specific encounters with figures such as Nelson Mandela and Saddam Hussein as anchoring reference points to illustrate broader themes in global affairs and media.

What topics does Trevor McDonald specialise in?

Sir Trevor McDonald OBE speaks on storytelling, communication, and the craft of broadcast journalism, drawing on his career covering the Northern Ireland troubles, global diplomacy, and landmark documentary subjects including death row and major UK crime cases. He was the first black reporter at ITN and sole anchor of News at Ten, where he conducted interviews with Nelson Mandela, Saddam Hussein, and Bill Clinton, and was knighted in 1999 for his services to journalism.

Does PepTalk charge a booking fee?

No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.

What happens after I send a brief?

Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.

What does the typical fee range mean?

The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.

Have all the speakers on the website worked with PepTalk before?

Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.

How far in advance should I book a speaker?

Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.