In the Hot Seat

Stephen Watson - Dialysis, Transplants & An Unrivalled Passion for Sport


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In this week's episode - the first of 2021 - I spoke with the fantastic Stephen Watson, sports reporter for the BBC and someone who has graced our screens for what feels like a lifetime - in the best possible way. 

What Stephen doesn't know about Northern Irish sport is simply not worth knowing, and it's that passion that comes through in this episode.

We spoke about a range of topics, including;

  • Being a sports reporter in the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic with no live sport to report on
  • Doorbell ringing 5minutes before going live on air - from the conservatory!
  • Stephen's battles with his kidney - from first transplant 30 years ago to discovering his kidney was failing while filming a documentary on the renal unit in Belfast City Hospital, through to his dialysis journey & receiving his second transplant in late 2019
  • What kept him going during that time - a passion for work & devoting free time to working with Age NI and speaking with those who have nobody to speak to - not realising how much it was also helping himself
  • Covering some of the biggest sporting events & tournaments in NI and worldwide
  • What Stephen makes of Ulster Rugby's season so far, and what constitutes a successful season for the province
  • Rory McIlroy and what lies ahead in 2021 and beyond
  • Whether NI will ever see a world-class motor-racing venue in Stephen's lifetime


Make sure to hit a like, share, retweet and subscribe if you enjoy the episode. 
Thanks a million, and see you next time!

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In the Hot SeatBy Stevie Henning