Published on 13 July 2023
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TalkTV political editor Kate McCann, who will shortly be taking on the same role at sister broadcaster Times Radio, was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Arts at the Stadium of Light during the University’s Summer Graduation Ceremonies this week.
Kate has been recognised in honour of her “outstanding career achievements as a journalist and broadcaster, as well as her strong interest and advocacy for the north-east of England”.
Kate said: “I am absolutely delighted to be here and accept this award, it’s a very proud moment.
“I am also thrilled to receive this from the University of Sunderland, this part of the world is really important to me and I love my time wherever I am here. It’s also the region where my baby feet first touched sand, at Bamburgh beach, so there’s a special connection and it’s a big part of my family and a big part of my career. I care deeply what happens in this region and will continue to do so.”
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With a family motto of ‘’Dare to be Different’ it comes as no surprise that Kate has taken chances in her career that have led her to being described as an “exceptional political correspondent” and named as one of broadcasting’s “rising stars”.
The first roots of Lancashire-born, and Yorkshire-raised, Kate’s journey into politics and journalism were planted right here in the north-east, when she began a degree in politics at Newcastle University, and became news editor at The Courier, its student newspaper.
Graduating in 2009, she then worked in Parliament as an MP's researcher until 2010.
Kate has since become renowned for her work delivering analysis and breaking news and exclusive stories in and around Westminster.
Before joining Sky News in 2018, she worked at The Daily Telegraph as senior political correspondent, and at The Sun as political correspondent.
Kate was highly commended at the Press Awards in 2017 for her Labour manifesto scoop with The Telegraph, the first time a political manifesto had been leaked to a newspaper in its entirety.
Kate was also chair of the Press Gallery in 2018, only the second woman to hold the title in over 200 years.
For the past year she’s been political editor at TalkTV, and co-hosts a Sunday morning political show on Times Radio. Just recently Times Radio announced that she will become its new Political Editor from September.
Kate made her mark with the News UK broadcaster in those first few months with the News UK broadcaster when she co-hosted TalkTV's televised Tory Leadership debate between Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, and fainted 30 minutes into the programme, the dramatic moment led to the show being cancelled. Thankfully, Kate made a full recovery, and both political leaders sent their best wishes.