Gary O'Donoghue

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Gary O'Donoghue
NYC Trump court trial 2024-05-29 315 (cropped).jpg
O'Donoghue at Manhattan Criminal Courthouse, reporting on the prosecution of Donald Trump in 2024
Born1968 (age 56–57)
London
Education Worcester College for the Blind
Alma mater Christ Church, Oxford
Occupation Journalist
Employer BBC
Notable credit BBC News
TitleChief North America political correspondent for BBC News
PartnerSarah Lewthwaite
Children1
O'Donoghue's voice
recorded 2012, as part of an audio description of the Elizabeth Tower for VocalEyes

Gary O'Donoghue (born 1968) is a British journalist who works in Washington, D.C. as the chief North America political correspondent for BBC News. He is blind.

Contents

Early life

O'Donoghue was born in London in 1968. [1] His father was a semi-professional football player who also worked as a taxi driver, and his mother taught ballroom dancing. O'Donoghue was born partially sighted, but went totally blind by the time he was eight. [2]

He was educated at Worcester College for the Blind (then a boys' boarding school though it has since merged with a similarly specialised girls' school), [3] where he played blind football for England. O'Donoghue then attended Christ Church at the University of Oxford, where he read philosophy and modern languages. [2]

Career

O'Donoghue undertook work experience at the BBC. [4] He then joined the BBC on graduation from university, becoming a junior reporter on BBC Radio 4's Today programme; at one time, he was asked to bungee jump off Chelsea Bridge. [2] During his career, he has covered stories for BBC News in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the U.S. In 2004, he became a political correspondent based at Westminster, reporting across the media of radio, television and internet. [2] From October 2011, O'Donoghue was the chief political correspondent for BBC Radio 4 replacing Norman Smith, primarily reporting for the Today and PM programmes.

In 2007, he broke the story that new UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown was returning early from holiday to deal with an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey. However, BBC News at Ten deputy editor Daniel Pearl handed the story to June Kelly, which, in 2008, resulted in an out-of-court five-figure payment to O'Donoghue on grounds of disability discrimination. [5]

At the 2014 BBC News Festival, it was revealed that O'Donoghue would be moving to Washington, D.C., as chief North America political correspondent for BBC News. Since then he has covered US politics, including the first presidency of Donald Trump and the presidency of Joe Biden. Between assignments, in summer 2014 he toured UK universities, telling journalism students about his career and experience. [6]

On 13 July 2024, O'Donoghue was reporting from a Donald Trump rally at Butler, Pennsylvania, when there was an assassination attempt on Trump. Shortly afterwards, he reported from the event while taking cover on the ground. [7] He then interviewed eyewitnesses. [8]

In March 2025, BBC News announced the appointment of O’Donoghue as its new chief North America correspondent. [9]

Personal life

O'Donoghue and his partner Sarah Lewthwaite have a home in Yorkshire; they are parents to one daughter. [2] [3] [10]

References

  1. ↑ Anderson, Hephzibah (3 November 2024). "The BBC's Gary O'Donoghue: 'I knew those were gunshots, and then realised Trump had stopped talking'". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Bell, Matthew (22 February 2009). "Gary O'Donoghue: 'My mother once thought of killing us both, life was so hard'". The Independent . London. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  3. 1 2 "BBC – Ouch! (disability) – Interviews – 13 Questions: Gary O'Donoghue". BBC. Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  4. ↑ "A splash of political colour". Disability Now. October 2009. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  5. ↑ "Five-figure payout for BBC reporter taken off the TV news 'because he was blind'". Evening Standard. 5 September 2008. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  6. ↑ "Employability Conference: Gary O'Donoghue - Political Correspondent for the BBC". Vimeo. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  7. ↑ "Watch: BBC reporter at rally describes moment after shooting". BBC News . 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  8. ↑ "Trump shooting at rally: Witness tells BBC he saw gunman on roof". BBC News . 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  9. ↑ "BBC News announces Gary O'Donoghue as new Chief North America Correspondent". BBC News . 28 March 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  10. ↑ "Profile – Gary O'Donoghue". The Group for Solicitors with Disabilities. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2008.
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Preceded by Chief Political Correspondent: BBC Radio 4
2011–2012		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief Political Correspondent: BBC Radio 4
2012–2014 present		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
New Post
 Chief North American Political Correspondent: BBC News
2014–present		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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