Linda McDermott

Linda McDermott is an English radio presenter and former broadcast journalist, from Liverpool, England, best known for her Late Night Show on Liverpool Live Radio and previously BBC Radio Merseyside.

Linda McDermott
Born	23 May Liverpool, England
Career
Station(s)	Liverpool Live Radio (2024-present), BBC Radio Merseyside (until 2023)
Station	Previously: BBC Radio 5 Live
Style	Radio presenter
Country	United Kingdom

Career

McDermott began working as a broadcast journalist and reporter, becoming one of the first female football reporters in the United Kingdom. She is best known for her 'Under The Duvet' Linda McDermott Late Show show on BBC Radio Merseyside. The show often airs on BBC Radio Cumbria and BBC Radio Lancashire^[1] She has previously worked as a journalist and reporter for Liverpool Echo. As a presenter,^[2] she has presented other shows such as Morning Merseyside for over seven years.^[3] McDermott once trained with the Army for one week, in which she was given the role of Major. McDermott has interviewed the likes of Oprah Winfrey, in which she once sold a coat to her. In 2008, McDermott broadcast live for three hours in storm force seas during the 50th Battle of the Atlantic commemorations and also hosted coverage of the Tall Ships parade in the same year. McDermott has also hosted shows on BBC Radio 5 Live and previously written and narrated documentaries for National Geographic’s Discovery Channel.^[4][5]

In 2002, McDermott suffered a car crash into a skip and spent one month in hospital. She later returned to her broadcasting work.^[6]

In 2023, McDermott announced that her popular Late Night Show will come to an end in October, due to BBC Local Radio cuts, with listeners sharing their thoughts and views. Her final show ended on early Saturday morning of 1am on 7 October 2023. McDermott later announced she is working on a book about her life and radio career.^[7][8][9] On 20 October 2024, McDermott returned to radio, presenting her 'Under The Duvet Club' on independent radio station Liverpool Live Radio on a Sunday evening.^[10]

Awards

In 2017, McDermott was awarded a Liverpool Citizen Of Honour for her work at BBC Radio Merseyside, elected only the second woman President in the 138-year history of Liverpool Press Club. McDermott is Patron of several Merseyside organisations and charities.^[11][12]

References

1. "Linda McDermott : BBC Radio Merseyside : August 11, 2017 10:00PM-01:00AM BST". Internet Archive. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
2. "LINDA'S DOUBLE TAKE FOR RADIO MERSEYSIDE". Wirral Globe. 16 October 1997. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
3. "Radio Merseyside changes breakfast line-up". LiverpooL Daily Post. Retrieved 6 April 2005.
4. "BBC Radio Merseyside - Linda McDermott". BBC. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
5. "Linda McDermott - The Guide Liverpool". The Guide Liverpool. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
6. "LINDA: IT'S JUST GREAT TO BE BACK; Star tells of her battle after car crash". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 3 September 2002.
7. Thorp, Liam. "Anger and sadness as BBC Radio Merseyside cuts start to bite". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
8. Price, Pete. "'The under-the-duvet club will be no more, and the duvet will be put into an airing cupboard for ever'". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
9. "Late night local radio presenters across the BBC say goodbye to listeners - Radio Today".
10. Newbould, Chris. "Linda McDermott joins Liverpool Live Radio's ex-BBC Radio Merseyside club". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
11. "BBC Radio Merseyside and Radio City granted Freedom of Liverpool". BBC News. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
12. "BBC Radio Merseyside presenters awarded top civic honour". Liverpool Express. Retrieved 3 September 2017.