Chelsea History FestivalTalk

John Simpson Unspun

John Simpson, BBC World Affairs Editor, smiling in a dark blazer and open-collared pale blue shirt outside a white building.

Book tickets

Location:
National Army Museum (Foyle 1)

Date & time:
Friday 2 Oct 2026, 4.00pm - 5.00pm

Price:
£20.00 (plus £2 booking fee per transaction)

Editor of the Chelsea Citizen Rob McGibbon goes to head to head with the titan of broadcast news

About the event

For more than 60 years, the celebrated broadcaster John Simpson has witnessed up close some of the most significant historical moments of the 20th and 21st centuries. He has reported on wars, disasters and seismic political events that have shaped the world. He has also met and interviewed countless world leaders and tyrants, including Vladimir Putin Muammar Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein. 

More recently, Simpson – who will be 82 next month – has carved out a new niche for himself at the BBC by unravelling world events for viewers in his popular news programme Unspun World.  But who really is John Simpson and how has a career of such a calibre affected the man? Now is the time to find out.

During an in-depth interview for the Chelsea History Festival, Rob McGibbon –  the editor of The Chelsea Citizen and a veteran Fleet Street journalist for 40 years – will go head to head with Simpson to reveal the man behind the camera lens and all the headlines. 

John Simpson is this year’s Chelsea History Festival Guest Curator and The Chelsea Citizen is the Festival’s media partner.

About the speakers

John Simpson, the BBC’s World Affairs Editor, is a household name and the most distinguished foreign correspondent of the age. Recognised as the “David Attenborough” of news, John is a multi-award winning, veteran news broadcaster and accomplished author who has covered almost every major event of the world from the 1960s to the present day.

Rob McGibbon is a journalist, celebrity interviewer and author with more than 40 years of experience in national and local journalism. He has written for leading national newspapers and is also known for his community campaigning in Chelsea and around Battersea Bridge.

In 2025, Rob founded The Chelsea Citizen, a hyper-local online news platform featuring community stories, interviews, local politics and campaigns from across Chelsea. Its website and regular newsletters have quickly become a popular source of local news for residents and businesses.

FAQs

Is the National Army Museum accessible?

Yes, the National Army Museum is fully accessible. If you need further access information or help please do get in touch at info@nam.ac.uk or call 020 7730 0717,

Are bikes or scooters allowed?

Bikes (including folding bikes) and scooters are not permitted. There are bike racks located along Royal Hospital Road. These can be used to secure any bikes and scooters.

Please do not secure any bikes or scooters to the railings outside the Royal Hospital Chelsea or Burton Court. Any items secure to these railings will be removed.

How can I book tickets?

Online booking is available 24/7 on this website.

You can book by phone on 0131 226 0014 from Monday – Friday 10 – 6pm from 10 July but will need to make payment at the time. We cannot reserve tickets.

You can book in person at the National Army Museum from Wednesday 25 – Sunday 29th if there is still availability at that time, which we cannot guarantee.

Is there a booking fee and what are the terms & conditions?

Please see the full terms & conditions on the booking platform when you book tickets.

The booking fee is £2.00 and this applies online, on the telephone and in person.

All tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, with the exception of cancelled events which we will refund within 28 days. The organising venue reserves the right to change event speakers and content may be subject to change. Refunds will not be issued if the event is still taking place.

Are there concessionary tickets?

There are no concessions for Chelsea History Festival tickets, which have been priced as reasonably as possible. People requiring a carer, support worker or personal assistant will get a complimentary carer ticket. To book this please contact our box office on 0131 226 0014.

Proof of concession is required for these tickets so please be prepared to show relevant ID.