Reporting History

About Reporting History

ITV News journalists join Tom Bradby to revisit their reports from the most remarkable days in history - and reveal the drama that occurred off camera.

Publisher

ITV News

Category

history · news · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Feb 2026

Latest episode

25 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   25 Sept 2026

   Peter Wilkinson on filming the darkest days of the Troubles

   Warning: This episode contains distressing details throughout. Over two decades, legendary camera operator Peter Wilkinson filmed footage of the Troubles in Northern Ireland that shocked the world. The long and bloody conflict, which claimed thousands of lives, came to another horrific climax in 1988, when two British Army corporals, David Howes and Derek Wood, were beaten, dragged from their car, and later taken away and executed by the IRA. They had inadvertently driven into a funeral cortege for another IRA member Kevin Brady, who had been shot dead in another funeral attack by militant loyalist Michael Stone days earlier. The footage Peter Wilkinson captured of the incident was soon broadcast around the country - but it came so close to never seeing the light of day. After the incident, the IRA confronted him and asked him to hand over the tape containing the footage. He took a tape out of his camera, and handed it to them. Little did they know, it was a fake - and he had smuggled the real one in his underwear. He recalls their chilling words: ‘If the footage isn’t on here, we know exactly who you are, and we’ll get you’. But this is far from the first time Peter risked everything to capture historic footage of the Troubles. Peter joins Reporting History to talk for the first time about his time in Northern Ireland across two decades, and reveals what he saw on Bloody Sunday, Bloody Friday, the Europa hotel bombing, and a firefight on the streets in 1973. You can also watch episodes of Reporting History on the ITV News YouTube channel and ITVX.

2. 

   18 Sept 2026

   Paul Davies: How war reporter cheated death during bombing siege of Dubrovnik

   In 1991 the historic city of Dubrovnik came under dramatic siege by land and sea after Croatia claimed independence from the collapsing Yugoslavia. As thousands fled for their lives from the one-sided onslaught, ITN war reporter Paul Davies and his small crew headed daringly into the heart of the conflict. In this episode of Reporting History, Paul looks back on his Diary of a Siege, which became among the most famous war reportage ITN has ever broadcast and the singular and defining account of the battle. He rewatches his epic eyewitness reporting, recounts the moment he was hit by incoming shelling, and explains the incredible and inventive lengths he went to in order to smuggle the footage out of the bombarded city to show the world what was happening. Paul’s extended report influenced the White House and the Kremlin and exposed the Yugoslav lies to help bring the siege to an end. It would ultimately be scrutinised in extraordinary circumstances as Paul became cross-examined by Slobodan Milosevic as the former Serbian and Yugoslav president led his own futile defence at his war crimes trial at The Hague. Reporting History sees journalists join News At Ten anchor Tom Bradby to revisit their remarkable reports from the defining events of the modern age. The guests reveal the drama that occurred off camera, from war reporting and frontline journalism to historic global events.

3. 

   10 Sept 2026

   James Mates recalls his harrowing 9/11 news coverage from New York

   Twenty-five years on from 9/11, ITV News’s James Mates revisits his chilling coverage of the deadliest terrorist attacks in modern history. An "extraordinary stroke of luck” meant Mates managed to reach Manhattan following the assault and collapse of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in 2001. It came only hours after the US Correspondent had heard and witnessed the devastating impact of the hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 being flown into the Pentagon in Washington, DC on September 11. Revisiting his powerful archive reports with host Tom Bradby, Mates describes the challenges of capturing the devastation at Ground Zero while documenting the heroism of firefighters and passengers on board the fourth hijacked plane United 93. The conversation also explores how 9/11 reshaped American foreign policy, beyond the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and altered the course of global politics as Mates describes the second lasting tragedy spawned from the attacks masterminded by Osama bin Laden. Reporting History sees journalists join News At Ten anchor Tom Bradby to revisit their remarkable reports from the defining events of the modern age.

4. 

   4 Sept 2026

   Mary Nightingale on the disappearance of Madeleine McCann

   On the third of May 2007, three-year-old Madeleine McCann vanished from her family's apartment on holiday in Praia Da Luz, Portugal. As the frantic search began, Mary Nightingale was one of the first journalists on the scene. The investigation and search for Madeleine McCann would capture the attention of the world, and become one of the biggest missing person stories in history. In this episode of Reporting History, Mary recalls watching it unfold on the ground, and seeing a different side to the McCann parents off-camera. Mary rewatches rare, previously unaired footage from the time showing Kate and Gerry recall in agonising detail the night their daughter went missing. The ITV News presenter also recalls witnessing the public “rush to judgement” over whether Kate and Gerry could have been responsible for Madeleine’s disappearance - and describes the shock of seeing them officially named suspects in the investigation. Many years on, police have identified a prime suspect whose phone was in the area at the time: Christian Brueckner. Mary details what we know about Brueckner and the current state of the investigation into what happened to Madeleine. Reporting History sees journalists join News At Ten anchor Tom Bradby to revisit their remarkable reports from the defining events of the modern age. The guests reveal the drama that occurred off camera, from war reporting and frontline journalism to historic global events. This episode explores: What happened on the day Madeleine McCann disappeared How the world reacted to Madeleine’s disappearance How Madeleine McCann’s disappearance changed Praia Da Luz in 2007 The failings in the Portuguese police’s investigation The latest updates in the Madeleine McCann story How the police identified Christian Brueckner as a suspect The evidence against Christian Brueckner

5. 

   28 Aug 2026

   Sir Trevor McDonald relives world-first interview with Nelson Mandela after prison release

   Sir Trevor McDonald has revealed he was ‘terrified’ before sitting down with South African icon Nelson Mandela for the anti-apartheid campaigner’s first televised interview after his release from prison in February 1990. Just three days had passed since millions across the world watched Nelson Mandela complete his ’long walk to freedom’ out of Victor Verster Prison and end his 27 years of incarceration. In this episode of Reporting History, Sir Trevor rewatches the cherished filming from the meeting in the garden of Nelson Mandela’s home in the Johannesburg township of Soweto on February 14, 1990. He tells host Tom Bradby how he landed the prized sit-down interview and addresses the difficult questions he needed to put to the iconic freedom fighter after Frederik Willem de Klerk finally sanctioned his release. Sir Trevor also recalls why it took Nelson Mandela another five years, in their interview ahead of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, before he would hint at the harsh physical impact his decades behind bars had had on him. Reporting History sees journalists join News At Ten anchor Tom Bradby to revisit their remarkable reports from the defining events of the modern age. The guests reveal the drama that occurred off camera, from war reporting and frontline journalism to historic global events. This episode explores: The moment of Mandela’s release Why apartheid failed How Sir Trevor landed the first interview Mandela’s first interview in Soweto How Mandela united a divided country Mandela’s interview before the 1995 Rugby World Cup Mandela’s legacy

6. 

   10 Apr 2026

   Paul Davies on being trapped in a dramatic TV station siege during the Romanian revolution

   Former ITN Correspondent Paul Davies describes how he brought Romania's revolution to the world in Christmas 1989 amid a dramatic siege on a TV station. Communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu was overthrown after his latest violent crackdown of protestors had led hundreds of thousands to the streets of Bucharest. His brutal 24 year rule had been defined by suppressing civil liberties, leaving much of the country in poverty. Over a thousand were killed in the days of fighting that followed, in what became Europe's bloodiest anti-communist uprising. Reporting History sees journalists join News At Ten anchor Tom Bradby to revisit their remarkable reports from the defining events of the modern age and reveal the drama that occurred off camera. Sleeping on the floor of the state television station, which had become the heart and voice of the revolution, Paul and his team captured Bucharest's final street battles up close, as Ceaușescu's notorious secret police and remaining loyalists tried to regain control. To see the incredible archive footage for yourself, you can watch all episodes of Reporting History on ITVX and on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFXSE3NhAYibip0C8_RYiA0i8LR1iwRDH

7. 

   1 Apr 2026

   Steve Scott describes travelling with Diana on iconic landmine trip

   ITV News journalist Steve Scott recalls his time with Princess Diana on her trip to Angola, where she walked through a live minefield and brought the world's attention to the lasting impact of war on civilians. In the wake of her divorce from the then-Prince Charles, the January 1997 trip was intended to mark the beginning of a new humanitarian phase of her life but was tragically followed by her death in Paris just seven months later. Steve Scott spent more time with Diana than any other journalist on the trip, and was struck by her warmth and openness. He reveals what Diana said her priorities were at that time in her life - and her plans for William and Harry following her divorce. Reporting History sees journalists join News At Ten anchor Tom Bradby to revisit their remarkable reports from the defining events of the modern age and reveal the drama that occurred off camera. Steve also tells the story of how her iconic landmine walk was captured, and what Diana made of a political row back at home over her campaign against landmines. To see the incredible archive footage for yourself, you can watch all episodes of Reporting History on ITVX and on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFXSE3NhAYibip0C8_RYiA0i8LR1iwRDH

8. 

   27 Mar 2026

   Emma Murphy relives terrifying encounter with shotgun killer Raoul Moat

   This episode contains some distressing details and references to suicide. ITV News journalist Emma Murphy relives her nerve-wracking encounter with the armed and dangerous Raoul Moat during the UK’s largest manhunt, in this episode of Reporting History. In the summer of 2010 the former Gateshead bouncer was on the run in Rothbury, Northumberland and threatening to kill police, journalists and the public - following a shooting spree that killed one man and injured two others, including his ex-partner. Reporting History sees journalists join News At Ten anchor Tom Bradby to revisit their remarkable reports from the defining events of the modern age and reveal the drama that occurred off camera. In this enthralling interview, Emma Murphy describes the panic on the streets of the quiet picturesque town, the moments leading up to the shooting spree’s brutal ending and questions why most people remember the manhunt for Gazza, a fishing rod and a bag of cooked chicken. To see the incredible archive footage for yourself, you can watch all episodes of Reporting History here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFXSE3NhAYibip0C8_RYiA0i8LR1iwRDH

9. 

   20 Mar 2026

   John Ray recounts his escape from being a hostage in Gaddafi's 'last jail'

   War correspondent John Ray was sent to Libya in 2011 to capture the dramatic fall of Colonel Gaddafi in the Arab Spring. Instead he became captured himself: held hostage by the Libyan dictator’s regime forces in the Rixos Hotel in Tripoli - before a daring escape. For the first time, John revisits the death-defying reporting alongside rebel forces on the road to the Libyan capital before describing his hellish hostage experience and how he and his team eventually fled their armed captors. Reporting History sees journalists join News At Ten anchor Tom Bradby to revisit their remarkable reports from the defining events of the modern age and reveal the drama that occurred off camera. To watch episodes of Reporting History and see the remarkable archive footage behind the stories, check out our full YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFXSE3NhAYibip0C8_RYiA0i8LR1iwRDH

10. 

    13 Mar 2026

    Nina Nannar describes covering the most shocking Oscars moments

    Arts Editor Nina Nannar has covered countless Oscars ceremonies - and has been on the frontline of its most shocking moments and biggest controversies. Before she set off to LA for the 2026 Academy Awards ceremony, she sat down with Tom Bradby to reflect on the various cultural earthquakes that have rippled out from Hollywood - and how they unfolded behind-the-scenes at the Oscars. She relives the ultimate 'where were you when' moment - the Will Smith-Chris Rock slap incident - and how the world's media reacted. And she reveals what Will Smith was really like in-person when she spent time with him. Nina and Tom also talk about covering the historic changes brought about by the #OscarsSoWhite controversy - and discusses where the industry stands now when it comes to diversity. With Michael B Jordan's Sinners - which features a majority black cast - looking to sweep up a big haul, is it a sign that Hollywood has changed? She also reveals what it takes to ask a superstar an interview question that goes truly viral - something she's well-versed in after a famous interview with Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep. She asked the pair who got paid more for the 2017 film The Post - a question she acknowledges was risky, but proved worth it for their reaction. The episode contains some mildly offensive language. You can also watch episodes of Reporting History on YouTube and ITVX.

11. 

    6 Mar 2026

    Sir Trevor McDonald interviews Saddam Hussein on the brink of war

    What was it like to interview the world's most notorious dictator as he stood on the brink of war? In new show Reporting History, Sir Trevor McDonald gives the answer to News At Ten anchor Tom Bradby as they revisit his extraordinary interview with the notorious Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in Baghdad for the first time in 36 years. You can also watch the full episode on YouTube and ITVX. Reporting History sees journalists revisit their remarkable on-the-day reports of the defining events of the modern age and reveal the drama that occurred off camera. Hit subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode.

12. 

    27 Feb 2026

    Sneak peek: Sir Trevor McDonald revisits his 1990 interview with Saddam Hussein

    What was it like to interview the world's most feared dictator as he stood on the brink of war? In new show Reporting History, Sir Trevor McDonald gives the answer to Tom Bradby as they revisit his extraordinary interview with the notorious Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in Baghdad for the first time in 36 years. This is a sneak peak clip. You can listen to the full first episode of Reporting History on Friday March 6 and watch on YouTube and ITVX. Reporting History sees journalists revisit their remarkable on-the-day reports of the defining events of the modern age and reveal the drama that occurred off camera.

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Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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