Sharuna Sagar – Award-Winning BBC Journalist and Presenter
Sharuna Sagar is a highly acclaimed BBC journalist, presenter, reporter, and producer celebrated for her flair in bringing arts, culture, and human-interest stories vividly to life. With nearly two decades in broadcasting, she has become a respected name in British journalism, known for her warmth, authenticity, and creative storytelling. Her award-winning career reflects both artistic depth and journalistic precision, combining charm, intellect, and empathy to engage audiences across television and radio.
Early Life and Background
Born and raised in Liverpool to a British-Indian family of Hyderabadi heritage, Sharuna Sagar’s multicultural upbringing shaped her unique voice and humour. Now based in Newcastle upon Tyne, she is proudly described as “an honorary Geordie with a Scouse sensibility.” Her heritage, combined with her northern upbringing, gives her a diverse perspective and a distinctive presence both on and off screen.
Sharuna made history as the first person to read the news on UK television wearing a sari, a moment that attracted international attention from outlets such as India Today and Hello! Magazine. This act of cultural representation showcased her confidence, authenticity, and trailblazing spirit.
Education
Sharuna Sagar graduated with a BA (Hons) in Economics and Communication from the University of Liverpool. She later completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Radio and Television Journalism (NCTJ) from the University of Central Lancashire, gaining the professional foundation that would launch her broadcasting career.
Career at the BBC
Long-standing BBC Career
Sharuna has been with the BBC since 2006, working in multiple capacities as a presenter, reporter, and producer. She currently serves as a Senior Journalist at BBC Look North (North East and Cumbria) — an RTS award-winning news programme where she covers arts and culture stories that resonate with both local and national audiences.
Her journalistic range and storytelling ability have made her one of the BBC’s most versatile broadcasters. She has contributed to numerous flagship shows, including:
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BBC Breakfast
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BBC News Channel
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BBC Radio 4 – Front Row and Opening Night
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BBC Radio 3 – Sunday Morning with Sarah Walker
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BBC One – The One Show
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Midlands Today (BBC)
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Central News (ITV)
Major Achievements and Awards
Royal Television Society Awards 2025
Sharuna Sagar won Best Presenter at the 2025 Royal Television Society Awards (North East and Borders), a recognition of her charisma, clarity, and exceptional ability to connect with viewers.
Audio UK Awards 2024
In 2024, she secured Bronze for Best Arts & Culture Producer at the prestigious Audio UK Audio Production Awards, acknowledging her creativity in producing engaging cultural content for radio and online audiences.
TV Collective Recognition
In 2023, she was named “One to Watch” by The TV Collective and nominated for their Breakthrough Leaders Programme 2025, highlighting her growing influence in British media.
Wonder Women Mentor Scheme
In 2022, Sharuna was selected from thousands for the Wonder Women Mentor Scheme, where she was paired with Sue Walton (ITV). The duo received a special achievement award for outstanding contributions to television journalism and leadership.
Career Highlights
BBC The One Show
Sharuna Sagar has produced and fronted numerous self-originated films for the BBC’s flagship programme The One Show. Her exclusive feature with musician Mark Knopfler, aired in March 2024, has surpassed 600,000 views on YouTube, underscoring her storytelling appeal and audience reach.
BBC World Service Documentaries
In 2023, she presented and co-produced two critically acclaimed documentaries — “Ken Loach: Behind the Scenes” and “Ken Loach: The Sequel” — offering unprecedented access to the legendary director as he made his final film, The Old Oak. Both documentaries reached tens of millions of listeners worldwide, a testament to her journalistic authority and production skill.
High-Profile Coverage
Sharuna has covered some of Britain’s most prestigious arts and entertainment events, including the:
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Turner Prize
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BAFTAs
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MOBO Awards
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Mercury Prize
Her work often explores the creative process, cultural identity, and the people behind the headlines, giving audiences a fresh and relatable perspective.
Exclusive Interviews
Throughout her career, Sharuna Sagar has conducted rare and insightful interviews with icons of music, film, and culture, including:
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Yoko Ono
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Sting
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Sam Fender
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Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)
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Ken Loach
Her interviewing style is marked by empathy, curiosity, and wit — traits that allow her to uncover stories others might miss.
Personal Style and USP
Authenticity and Charisma
Sharuna Sagar’s on-screen presence is as genuine as her off-screen personality. Known for her warmth, humour, and spontaneity, she effortlessly engages audiences and interviewees alike. Her mischievous energy and sharp instincts make her one of the most relatable voices in contemporary journalism.
Empathy as a Superpower
Sharuna believes empathy is central to good storytelling. She connects instantly with people from all walks of life, often drawing out moving, honest, and humorous moments. This emotional intelligence underpins much of her standout broadcasting.
Creative Storytelling
Described as a “one-woman ideas factory,” Sharuna is known for her tenacity, originality, and imaginative scripts. She brings subjects to life through compelling narratives that blend factual precision with artistic sensitivity.
Hosting and Public Appearances
Beyond broadcasting, Sharuna Sagar is a sought-after host for major cultural and media events. Notable engagements include:
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BBC Academy’s “Production Unlocked” Conference 2024 (two-day event)
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Tyneside Cinema Fundraising Relaunch 2024
Her natural presence, wit, and stage confidence make her a favourite choice for industry panels and live events.
Cultural Identity and Representation
As a second-generation British Indian journalist, Sharuna Sagar’s career embodies diversity and representation in British media. Her decision to present news in a sari became an iconic moment, inspiring a new generation of journalists to embrace cultural authenticity on national television.
Her cross-cultural experience allows her to highlight underrepresented voices in arts and society, bridging the gap between mainstream British media and global cultural narratives.
Personality and Passions
Outside journalism, Sharuna is passionate about music, visual arts, and stand-up comedy, reflecting her creative spirit and love for performance. Her Instagram profile (@SharunaTV) showcases her dynamic personality — humorous, confident, and proudly herself.
Her tagline, “Google me. Everyone else does!”, captures her charm and self-aware humour — a hallmark of her personality.
Conclusion
Sharuna Sagar stands out as one of the most dynamic and relatable figures in British broadcasting. From her award-winning documentaries and cultural reporting to her trailblazing representation of identity on screen, she exemplifies what modern journalism should be — authentic, inclusive, and deeply human.
Her continued success at the BBC, her creative storytelling, and her fearless individuality make her a leading voice in the evolving landscape of arts and culture journalism.
FAQs
1. Who is Sharuna Sagar?
Sharuna Sagar is an award-winning BBC journalist, presenter, and producer known for her work on BBC Look North, The One Show, and BBC World Service. She specialises in arts, culture, and human-interest storytelling.
2. Is Sharuna Sagar married?
As of now, Sharuna Sagar has not publicly shared any information about her marital status. No verified details are available regarding a husband or partner.
3. What awards has Sharuna Sagar won?
She won Best Presenter at the 2025 Royal Television Society Awards (NETB) and a Bronze Award for Best Arts & Culture Producer at Audio UK’s 2024 Awards. She was also named One to Watch by The TV Collective.
4. What programmes has Sharuna Sagar worked on?
Sharuna’s credits include BBC Breakfast, The One Show, BBC News Channel, BBC Radio 3 & 4, Midlands Today, and ITV Central News, among others.
5. What is Sharuna Sagar’s background?
She is a second-generation British Indian from Liverpool with Hyderabadi heritage, now based in Newcastle. She made history as the first person to read the news on UK television wearing a sari.
