From a decade of men-only bars and newsroom sexism, Christa Ackroyd fought her way to the front line of British journalism.

In this episode, Dermot Murnaghan sits down with pioneering journalist and broadcaster Christa Ackroyd for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation about local journalism, resilience, and the role of women in news.

Christa reflects on her trailblazing career in regional television, including two decades dominating the airwaves across Yorkshire on Calendar and Look North. She shares the emotional story of reporting the Yorkshire Ripper murders at just 19 years old, her battles against misogyny in the newsroom, and how the Brontë sisters shaped her drive to defy expectations.

Christa also reveals:

• How newsroom sexism nearly kept her off air during the Gulf War — and how she fought back
• The moment she realised journalism wasn’t about scoops, but about standing with the voiceless
• How Richard Whiteley, granny knickers and laughter shaped 20 years of legendary broadcasts
• Why she believes regional news has lost its soul
• The lesson she learned from the Brontës: break rules, challenge power, and don’t wait to be invited
• Why she wants her gravestone to read: “Just one more thing…”

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