TalkTV host friend Kate McCann says she’s ‘fine’ today after fainting live on air to the shock of Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak during last night’s Tory leadership debates.
Attention has been drawn to the Westminster political correspondent since the dramatic incident that brought the broadcast to an end.
Ms. McCann, who left her role as a political correspondent for Sky News to join TalkTV as a political editor in January, is a very popular figure in Westminster journalism and is considered a ‘rising star’ in her industry.
The presenter, in his 30s, graduated from Newcastle University in 2009 with a degree in Politics, and after a brief stint as a parliamentary researcher, joined the Guardian.
After brief stints as a political reporter at the financial newspaper City AM and a Whitehall correspondent at The Sun, she joined the Telegraph as one of its leading political reporters.
Kate McCann is a very well known figure among the Westminster correspondent, and is considered a ‘rising star’ in her industry
Among her other accomplishments, Miss McCann was the president of the Press Gallery in 2018. She is only the second woman to hold the title in over 200 years.
Speaking to the Press Gazette about switching to talkTV earlier this year, Miss McCann said she was excited that the network was able to ‘tear all the rules and start over’.
She added that her family motto, which feels relevant to the new business venture, is: ‘Dare to be different.’
Discussing the appointment of Miss McCann, Scott Taunton, CEO of News UK Broadcasting, said the journalist was the ‘perfect choice’ to be its political editor’.
He added that she was ‘one of the sharpest rising stars in the Lobby’.
Kate was highly praised at the 2017 Press Awards for obtaining a copy of the Labor manifesto – the first time a party manifesto was leaked in its entirety to a newspaper.
Fellow journalists sent their best wishes to Ms McCann following last night’s incident – which occurred while she was presenting alone after co-host Harry Cole signed a contract with Covid.
Piers Morgan wrote: ‘I’ve seen some sneaky ways to make myself the biggest star at @TalkTV but this is ridiculous @KateEMcCann – honestly, glad you’re okay.
‘You were excellent until this happened, and will be excellent in the rematch.’
The seasoned political journalist says her family motto is ‘dare to be different’ and says she’s happy that talkTV can ‘rip the rules’
TalkTV host Tom Newton Dunn said: ‘I know from working with @KateEMcCann nightly that she is one of the best in the business at capturing politicians.
‘She proved it in the first half hour of the debate, and she will prove it again. She is an amazing talent and I am extremely proud of her. ‘
And Sky News host Kay Burley added: ‘@KateEMcCann did a sensational job. It was a relief to know that she was okay. I am sure the candidates will return to continue the debate under her professional management. Get some rest Kate x. ‘
Ms McCann’s dramatic moment this evening happened as Ms Truss was answering a half-hour question-and-answer session during a TalkTV/The Sun event.
A loud noise made the Foreign Secretary nervously cover his face in shock as he exclaimed: ‘Oh my god!’. Mrs Truss was then seen walking towards where Ms McCann was standing, while Mr Sunak approached to take her hand.
The broadcast feed was quickly cut off, with viewers displaying the message: ‘We’re sorry for the disruption to this show. We are working hard to fix the issue and will be back to normal programming soon. ‘
Friends said Ms McCann was doing well today after last night’s incident (she is pictured with Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss)
The broadcast was then put on a lengthy pause while viewers wondered what had happened on set, before a ‘medical issue’ was thought to have caused the disturbance.
Confirming the rest of the debate would no longer continue, TalkTV later said in a statement: ‘Kate McCann passed out on air this evening and although she is fine, medical advice is that we do not. debate should continue. We apologize to our viewers and listeners. ‘
Both Tory leadership candidates raised the prospect of continuing their debate on TalkTV at a later date.
Posting to Ms McCann on Twitter, Mr Sunak wrote: ‘The good news is you’ve recovered. It was a great debate and I look forward to seeing you again soon! ‘
Ms Truss tweeted: ‘Glad to hear @KateEMcCann is fine. Really sorry that such a good debate had to end. Hope to see you soon Kate and the rest of the team @TheSun @TalkTV. ‘
