The UTV Podcast

For decades, he was a towering figure in British and Irish politics, ever present at major turning points in the history of Northern Ireland. From fierce opponent of the Good Friday Agreement to leader of the DUP, Jeffrey Donaldson was the polished unshakable face of unionism. A man whose life was almost always in the spotlight. But behind the carefully crafted public persona of a man of deep fait...

As Jeffrey Donaldson faces a lengthy prison sentence, we consider the impact of his conviction on politics. Sir Keir Starmer is standing down as Prime Minister - what does another change at Downing Street mean for Northern Ireland? It's 10 years since the Brexit referendum - we speak to two key players in the negotiations - Lord Frost and Leo Varadkar.

In the past few months, UTV has been part of a transparency pilot to let reporters into family court proceedings. The pilot has been running under strict rules, but is part of efforts by the Office of the Lady Chief Justice to improve open justice and transparency within the system. UTV’s reporter Sarah Clarke attended a case in the Court of Appeal in which a woman in Northern Ireland, whose wife...

On the this episode of Going the Extra Mile, Carol Jordan sits down with Gillian McCann. After her son Jay's death two years ago, Gillian formed her own group to support other women who had lost children. You can watch this episode on ITVX. For more of the biggest news stories in the UK and around the world, visit the ITV News YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ITVNews • Subscribe to ITV Ne...

The use of the controversial 'petition of concern' to block a move to raise the age of criminal responsibility here, has been branded as 'deeply disappointing' by campaigners pressing for the change. I'll be joined by representatives from the parties. There's still no movement of the Good Jobs Bill. As the window to progress the legislation closes, I'll speak to the Economy Minister, Caoimhe Archi...

Protests have erupted across Belfast after a Sudanese man is charged with attempted murder following a knife attack in the north of the city last night. Houses have been attacked and vehicles highjacked by crowds, roads have also been blocked. We get immediate reaction from policitians plus I'll be joined by a panel of experts. And as the DUP offers to progress parts of Sinn Féin's Good Jobs Bill,...

To celebrate Volunteer’s Week, the Going the Extra Mile podcast highlights Elaine McBride, who has volunteered and fundraised for the Northern Ireland Hospice for nine years. Inspired by the exceptional respite care her son Sam receives there, Elaine works tirelessly to challenge the misconception that hospices are solely about end-of-life sadness, choosing instead to focus on the joy, light, and...

Burrows bites back - a civil war in the Ulster Unionist Party - the party leader Jon Burrows sits down with our Political Editor Tracey Magee. Suzanne Breen from the Belfast Telegraph and former UUP director of communications Alex Kane give their views. What next for the Good Jobs Bill? As the horse trading to secure Executive agreement continues, we'll hear both from business and unions. And as r...

On the latest episode of Going the Extra Mile, Carol Jordan speaks to Chris Tennyson. They discuss Chris' campaign for solutions and legislative change that would allow crucial family health history to be shared with adoptive families. You can watch this episode on ITVX. For more of the biggest news stories in the UK and around the world, visit the ITV News YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com...

The Finance Minister allocates £100 million for public sector transformation. We'll speak to John O'Dowd. There's still no budget; what impact is that uncertainty having on our public services? I'll be joined by a panel of trade unions. Questions for the leadership of Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail after two bruising by-elections in the Republic. I'll be joined by the Irish Independent's Kevin Doyle, a...

Veteran journalist Stephen Walker joins the UTV Podcast to reflect on the monumental legacies of Nobel Laureates John Hume and David Trimble. With over 30 years of experience covering Northern Ireland's politics, Stephen breaks down the differing roles of 'The Persuader' and 'The Peacemaker'. Hosted by Paul Clark, Stephen and he discuss the immense pressure both men faced, the heavy political pric...

In this episode of UTV Talking Politics, Tracey and Vicki discuss the PM's miserable May, our version of TACO and the creep of Stormont suspicion. You can also watch this episode on ITVX.

One minister warns of a looming crisis because a budget still isn't agreed. We'll be joined by the parties to find out what is going on. All eyes are on how the government parties and Sinn Féin will fare in two crucial by-elections in the Republic. We'll be joined by Irish Times political editor, Pat Leahy for the latest. Our commentators are Ursula Savage and Alex Kane.

In this episode of Going the Extra Mile, Carol Jordan sits down with Lauren - a trans woman, activist, and Belfast Pride volunteer - for a deeply personal and uplifting conversation about the courage it takes to live authentically. Lauren opens up about her journey coming out during the 2020 lockdown, navigating serious mental health struggles, and how counselling helped her finally step into her...

Sir Keir Starmer's leadership hangs in the balance, creating a chaotic backdrop for the King's Speech to Parliament on Wednesday. We have analysis from Westminster, where our Political Editor Tracey Magee will be joined by DUP Leader Gavin Robinson, and SDLP Leader Claire Hanna joins Vicki in the studio. What - if any - impact will nationalist First Ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Irelan...

In this week's episode of Going the Extra Mile, Carol Jordan sits down with Dr Agnes Lunny, founder and outgoing chief executive of Positive Futures, an organisation which supports people with learning difficulties, acquired brain injuries or autism and their families. Established in 1995, the charity now has over 750 employees and works with health trusts right across the island of Ireland helpin...

A review into the death of Katie Simpson exposes institutional misogyny in the PSNI and systemic failures in safeguarding practice in Northern Ireland. Nathan Hanna reports from Stormont and I'll be joined by a panel of experts. As a spate of wildfires in recent weeks has stretched emergency services, I'm joined by Environment Minister, Andrew Muir. And ahead of the regional elections in Wales and...

Terry and Yasmin Geddis set up the Zachary Geddis Trust after their son's death by suicide. It provides free professional mental health services across NI. You can watch this episode of Going the Extra Mile on ITVX or YouTube . The latest news, sport and weather from the UTV News team. On today’s programme: - British and Irish Governments met at Hillsborough Castle - New appeal made over 1975 shoo...

The Government's legacy legislation is pushed to the new Westminster session, Secretary of State Hilary Benn gives his view and we hear from Dublin Campaigners hail the passing of Stormont's sign language legislation. We hear from those set to benefit from the changes and speak to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons. And following the party's Ard Fheis, we're joined in studio by Sinn Féin Vice Presi...

Sinn Féin Vice President Michelle O'Neill sat down with our Political Editor Tracey Magee ahead of her party's Ard Fheis at the weekend. You can watch on ITVX or listen here.

On the latest episode of Going the Extra Mile, Carol Jordan chats with Geraldine Magill, the founder of the charity Dreams2Memories, which was established in memory of her daughter, Lisa, who passed away in March 2017 at the age of 35 after battling a rare cancer. Geraldine was inspired by an Australian charity who organised a holiday for the family only months before Lisa passed away, giving them...

Executive Ministers say they don't have enough money and want the Prime Minister to step in, as we reveal a fund given to Stormont two years ago to transform public services has not yet been spent. We hear from the Finance Minister John O'Dowd. Sir Keir Starmer battles on as the Mandelson affair continues to loom large over the government. We'll get the view from Westminster. And thirty years afte...

In 2016, Enniskillen teacher, Sally Rees was told news which changed her life. She was told that over a period of 14 months, she and another female teacher had been covertly filmed by a student who she knew and had taught for years. That crime didn’t even have a definition at the time. Now we know it was upskirting. The dynamic of Sally being an adult of authority was completely turned on its head...

As fuel protests spread to Belfast, we are joined by a panel both north and south of the border. The Good Jobs Bill is promised to be the biggest overhaul of employment legislation in a generation, but it has been criticised by business groups. We speak to Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald, as well as the DUP and Alliance. The issue of Legacy continues to dominate the headlines as amendments to t...

It's been almost six months since we started our podcast 'Going the Extra Mile.' It came to be because we recognised that there are people among us—people who work to help others, raise awareness or form communities—and these are the people whose voices so rarely get heard. In this special edition, we look back on a few of the guests who spoke with us about their motivation, inspiration, and the v...