Legends Of News

Legends of News is a gripping, deeply personal podcast hosted by award-winning broadcaster Dermot Murnaghan, exploring the golden era of television news through the voices of those who shaped it. With over four decades in the newsroom himself, Dermot invites fellow household names to reveal what it was really like in front of the camera when the world changed in real time.
Through candid conversations, you’ll be granted a front-row seat to history: from breaking global events to chaotic newsrooms, unforgettable interviews with world leaders, and the occasional live blooper. As history echoes through current events, these news giants reflect on how the past informs the present—and share where life has taken them now.
Legends of News is a warm, revealing, and inspiring chronicle of the stories that must not be forgotten

Episode 1 – John Sergeant: From War Zones to Westminster and waltzing on Strictly

John Sergeant has reported from 25 countries, covered the Vietnam War and The Troubles, served as the BBC’s Chief Political Correspondent for over a decade, and became ITV’s Political Editor before turning to documentaries and popular television. With bestselling books, acclaimed series like Britain’s Flying Past, and that unforgettable Strictly stint, his voice remains as distinctive—and entertaining—as ever.
In this candid and often hilarious conversation, John reflects on:

  • How he wanted to write jokes for a living
  • His chaotic encounter with Margaret Thatcher moments before her resignation
  • How reporting during The Troubles and Vietnam shaped his journalism
  • The Strictly Come Dancing phenomenon and why it made him a national treasure
  • And the unexpected joy of leaving Westminster for barges, bombers, and boats

From political satire to reporting on the frontline, John takes us on a journey through his career and offers surprising insights into the craft of broadcast news in its heyday.

VE Day Specials 8th May 2025

To both remember and celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Nottingham Hospitals Radio are pleased to be able to bring you 2 special shows on Thursday 8th May – 

12:00-13:00 VE Day With Gill Hardicker

14:00-16:00 NHR VE Day Special with Steve Coulby.

Listen on line, via a Wifi Radio, the MyTuner Radio app or just say “Alexa, Play NHR”

Now That’s What I Call A Musical

Every week NHR takes you for a trip to the theatre with front row seats for your ears to experience the best music from the musicals and musical theatre in a sixty minute show called “Now That’s What I Call A Musical”. We’ll educate with some facts about the musicals, the actors, the story and trivia, and then spotlight one of the pieces from the soundtrack to entertain you. A dozen or so musicals every week covering 100 years of marvellous, magical and modern musical masterpieces. Every Wednesday 8pm till 9pm. Let me entertain you and hopefully make you feel less miserables with SIXty minutes with the stars and music from the wonderful West End to your local theatre around the corner shows. Now That’s What I Call A Musical!

Life With Cancer Event

A “Life with Cancer” event is being held at the Trent Conference Centre, Lenton Lane, Nottingham. NG7 2PX on the 19th September 2024.

Find out what support is available to you including – 

  • Social Life
  • Physical Needs
  • Sex & Intimacy
  • Cultural Needs
  • Money & Finance
  • Emotional Needs
  • Mental Health

for more information mail the team at nuhnt.nuhhealthandwellbeingevents@nhs.net or phone the MacMillan Information and Support Service on 0115 840 2650.

Katy Baker from the Cancer Centre popped into NHR to tell us all about it. Listen to the podcast Here or search “Nottingham Hospitals Radio” on your favourite Podcast Provider

Final Scores!

What a year for the Nottingham Hospitals Radio sports team!

The NHR sports team has finished one of its busiest football seasons for many a year.

The members of the team are all volunteers and give up their time to bring football coverage to the patients and staff of Nottinghams  City and QMC hospitals.

Just look at what they did – 

  • 55 Home games – full match commentary
  • 19 Away games – full commentary
  • 8 Away games – regular reports
  • 1 England U21 International – full commentary
  • 33 Highlights Podcasts

Thanks to all the members of the sports team – great job..

Don’t Let Take Them Away – The Story Of The Great British Pirate Era

Monday 1st April 2024 between 10:00 and 13:00 on Nottingham Hospitals Radio.
 
60 years ago, on the Easter Weekend of 1964, radio listening in Britain was changed forever. With the start of broadcasts from Britain’s first daytime commercial radio station Radio Caroline.
 

Anchored off the Essex coast and free of government control, Caroline (and the offshore radio stations that followed in her footsteps over the next few years) gave the British Radio Listeners a complete transformation in their radio landscape. In place of the limited pop music choice offered by the BBC Light Programme, listeners learned to love Offshore Radio Stations such as Radio Caroline, Radio London, Swinging Radio England, Radio 270 and many more.

 

Exactly 60 years on, join me, Mark Stafford, for “Please Don’t Take Them Away – The Story Of The Great British Pirate Era” as we revisit the Swinging 60’s and tell the full story of those great radio days along with a soundtrack of the wonderful music of the era.

Along the way Dave Cash, Robbie Dale, Tony Prince, Roger “Twiggy” Day, Don Allen, Johnnie Walker, John Peel and more will tell us exactly what life was like breaking all the rules in a life at sea.

Schedule Change

New Show! – Pop Into the Sixties

Welcome to Ian Jowsey, NHR’s newest presenter.

Ian comes to NHR from Amber Radio (Nuneaton Hospital Radio) and is bringing with him the show “Pop Into the Sixties”.

Music from the sixties as well as any requests you might have for him.

Ian will be on NHR every Thursday between 10:00 and 12:00 (11:00 and 13:00 on 21st March)

Welcome Ian.

Other Changes

Philip Metcalf moves to 17:00 each Thursday with his Golden Years Show.

 

Boots Orchestra Fundraising Concert

On the evening of Saturday 2nd March, at St Peter’s Church in Ruddington, The Boots Orchestra performed a charity concert of French classical music, in aid of Nottingham Hospitals’ Radio – kicking off NHR’s 50th Anniversary events for this special celebration year.

Despite wet and wintry conditions, the event was well-attended, and the concert itself was a great success.

This was the third time that Boots Orchestra had played in support of NHR, following previous concerts in 2015 and 2019. We would like to thank all who took part and helped to make it such a special night.
The event raised a fantastic total of £558.40 for NHR.

A massive thank you to everyone who took part, attended or donated.