A year after stepping into two of the most recognisable roles in regional broadcasting, Granada Reports presenters Katie Walderman and Gamal Fahnbulleh say the responsibility of fronting the flagship evening news programme was both “daunting” at first and “a privilege”.
Speaking together on the latest episode of This Is MediaCity podcast, the duo reflected on their first year presenting together, the legacy of their predecessors, and why they believe regional news remains essential at a time when audiences are looking for “trust”.
Katie Walderman, who joined Granada Reports last year after 12 years working at the BBC as a reporter and presenter of North West Tonight, described landing the role at ITV as “the stuff that dreams are made of”, having grown up watching Lucy Meacock, who left the programme in 2023 after an impressive 36 year stint on air.
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“I was so nervous, I still remember going for the screen test,” Walderman tells Stephen Chapman, host of the podcast. “I’d been up since about four, had about 18 cups of tea and a load of sugar. I just knew if I didn’t get this job, I’d probably never get to that level because they [roles] come up so infrequently.”
“It has been a dream.”
Gamal Fahnbulleh, who returned to Granada Reports in 2021 following stints at Sky News and ITV News, now co-presents the evening news programme alongside Walderman.
He explained how stepping into a seat once held by the late broadcasting legends Tony Morris and Tony Wilson was “daunting and terrifying”.
“I’d been working in London for probably the best part of 12 years, but my life was always rooted here,” he told Chapman. “Ultimately, the plan, the vision, was always to come back up to the North West.”
“It was daunting, with huge shoes to fill. Tony Morris, Tony Wilson, Bob Greaves, these are giants of the industry…I was really, really nervous coming in. But equally, because I started my career here, I knew the patch, the people, I knew so many of the colleagues who were already there at Granada Reports, it just felt right.
“I feel very, very lucky, very privileged. It’s wonderful to be here.”
Taking over after the death of Tony Morris, who he credits as a mentor, was especially poignant: “Tony Morris was such a force of nature. For me, he was a real role model, there weren’t that many black faces in the industry when I was first starting and there definitely weren’t that many black faces who were lead presenters for regional programmes for the likes of Granada Reports. He was something I aspired to be and someone that I really looked up to.”
After crediting the “commitment” from the ITV team behind the screen, both presenters also reflected on how regional news has evolved over the years and the ways people are now accessing the news.
“I do think regional news is fundamental to our democracy,” said Fahnbulleh. He argued that while people “go on social media and they are so cross” about events happening far away, regional news brings the focus back to the local issues happening on their own doorstep, and it “matters”.
“Whether it’s people fly tipping, potholes, all that stuff matters to people and the onus is on us to make sure that we do cover those stories because ultimately, that’s what people care about, as well as the big national, international stories too.”
Trust, he added, is “so crucial to everything we do”, as regional news continues covering a local story long after the national cameras have packed up.
The chat also covered their paths into the industry, a glimpse into their daily lives as busy journalists with young children, the stories that have stuck with them the most, and their advice for aspiring reporters looking to break into the industry.
“I was told that I was too scouse to read the news on Liverpool radio starting off, so I did change my voice, and I do have a slightly less scouse accent when I’m reading the news, because it’s just ingrained in me now, but it made me more determined,” said Walderman. “So many people will say no, and I think it’s just important to remember that it’s a no at this precise moment.”
“Dream big and send the elevator back down,” added Fahnbulleh. The latest episode of This Is MediaCity podcast, produced by 39 Pictures on behalf of MediaCity, is available to watch now.
