Lucy Hough: The Voice Behind Guardian’s Audio Journalism
Lucy Hough is an accomplished audio journalist centred in London, working for The Guardian. With experience ranging from political reporting to investigative long-form audio projects, she has rapidly carved a name for herself in the world of digital journalism. In this article, we dive into her career, background, projects, and what makes Lucy Hough a compelling voice in contemporary media.
Early Life and Education
Lucy Hough’s journey into journalism is rooted in a strong foundation in theatre and media. She first trained academically at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, where she earned a BA (Hons) in Theatre, graduating with a solid 2:1. Her training in drama likely contributed to her vocal presence and storytelling instincts.
She later pursued formal journalistic training at City, University of London, enrolling in a postgraduate course in Broadcast Journalism. She completed her studies with distinction, sharpening her skills in reporting, story crafting, audio production, and media law. This dual base in performance and journalism uniquely positioned Lucy to excel in audio storytelling.
Career Beginnings: From Radio to National Media
After her education, Lucy began to build hands-on experience in British media. She took on roles such as Assistant Producer and Programme Assistant at news outlets like Sky News and ITN, often being involved in news planning, production, and script support. These early positions gave her insight into the inner workings of broadcast newsrooms.
She then stepped into LBC / Global as a Producer and Reporter. Over the period 2016 to 2019, Lucy handled breaking-news coverage, interviewed key figures, and reported on major stories such as the Grenfell Tower fire, the Brexit parliamentary stalemate, and London terror incidents. Her work as a reporter at LBC earned her a nomination for IRN’s Newcomer of the Year in 2019.
During a brief spell in 2017, she also served BBC Radio Oxford as a Broadcast Journalist, preparing and presenting news bulletins— demonstrating her versatility across radio formats.
International Reporting: Brussels Correspondent
From December 2019 to March 2022, Lucy took her talents to Brussels, serving as a correspondent for Feature Story News. In this role, she covered European politics and policies for a global clientele including PBS (US), LBC (UK), ITV, and networks in Asia and Africa.
Based in Brussels and London, she reported on EU negotiations, regulatory shifts, regional conflicts, and transnational issues. She regularly produced TV and radio packages, live analysis, and breaking-news coverage. This period bolstered her credentials in political and international reporting, refining her ability to explain complex institutional dynamics to a broader audience.
The Guardian Era: Audio Journalism and Podcast Innovation
In March 2022, Lucy joined The Guardian as an Audio Journalist — a defining shift in her career. Her work revolves around the Today in Focus podcast, one of the Guardian’s flagship daily current affairs audio programmes. She contributes reporting, scripting, editing, and narration, helping shape stories that resonate with global listeners.
Flagship Projects & Series
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Election Extra (2024) — Lucy serves as a presenter for this miniseries, covering the UK and US elections. She guides listeners through policy debates, campaign strategies, and frontline reporting, delivering nuanced coverage.
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Can I Tell You a Secret (October 2022) — Lucy was the series producer for this investigative show, which focused on digital privacy, secret surveillance, and the personal risks of online exposure. The series charted highly in podcast charts in the UK and Australia.
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Cost of the Crown (May 2023) — In this series, Lucy probed the finances and wealth behind the British monarchy. The show explored how royal wealth is structured, public accountability, and the implications for taxpayers. It drew significant listener interest and discourse.
Additionally, she has crafted individual episodes such as “One Man on His Grief for Gaza”, combining personal narrative with geopolitical context. Throughout, listeners recognise her balanced tone, sharp curiosity, and clarity in conveying complex issues.
Style, Approach, and Strengths
Lucy’s approach to audio journalism blends investigative rigor with narrative empathy. Her theatre background allows her to pace stories effectively, using voice and silence with intent. The key traits that distinguish her work include:
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Clarity & Accessibility: She explains policy, economics, or law in everyday language, making even dense topics approachable.
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Narrative Depth: Lucy often weaves individual stories into broader themes, humanising policy debates and institutional mechanisms.
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Research & Investigative Edge: Projects like Cost of the Crown or Can I Tell You a Secret show her appetite for digging beyond surface-level accounts.
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Versatility: She moves fluently from live reporting to scripted narrative, short episodes to multi-part series.
Online Presence & Influence
Lucy Hough has established a public-facing profile across social platforms:
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X / Twitter: She uses the handle @lucyhough33, describing herself as “Audio journalist @guardian, London.” Her feed includes commentary on Guardian audio releases, reflections on media, and pointers to her latest work.
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Bluesky: Her handle lucyhough.bsky.social indicates that she maintains a presence in next-generation social networks, keeping close contact with engaged audiences.
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Followers & Following: She follows ~2,300 accounts and has ~4,100 followers, showing active engagement and reasonable reach in media circles.
These channels offer listeners direct insight into her ongoing projects, behind-the-scenes reflections, and topical audio releases.
Challenges and Opportunities
As audio journalism evolves, Lucy’s work sits at the intersection of opportunity and challenge:
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Monetisation & Sustainability: Podcasting remains experimental in revenue models. Creating compelling investigative audio requires time and resources, and balancing depth with audience demand can be tough.
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Competition & Discovery: With a growing number of podcasts, penetrating top charts and reaching new listeners demands strong marketing, SEO, and cross-promotion.
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Trust & Verification: Producing factual, transparent reporting is critical in an era of misinformation. Lucy’s reputation depends on maintaining editorial integrity and clarity about sources, editing, and narrative choices.
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Innovation in Format: The future lies in multimedia, interactive storytelling, and AI-assisted editing. Lucy’s theatre background gives her a creative edge to experiment with form, but staying ahead requires adapting to new platforms and listener habits.
Legacy and Influence
Though still relatively early in her Guardian tenure, Lucy Hough is contributing to a changing landscape in journalism — one where audio is no longer supplementary but central. Her investigative podcasts, election coverage, and narrative thinking push boundaries. She serves as a model for emerging journalists who wish to combine reporting with creative audio production.
Conclusion
Lucy Hough stands out as a dynamic and forward-thinking audio journalist. From her early steps in broadcast newsrooms to international reporting and now leading investigative podcast series at The Guardian, she blends narrative craft with journalistic rigor. Her work — in Today in Focus, Cost of the Crown, Election Extra, and beyond — is reshaping how listeners engage with current affairs.
In the crowded field of audio journalism, Lucy’s voice offers clarity, nuance, and depth. As she continues to innovate and tell powerful stories, she is well positioned to strengthen her influence in media.
FAQs
1. Who is Lucy Hough?
Lucy Hough is a London-based audio journalist at The Guardian, best known for her work on the Today in Focus podcast and investigative series such as Can I Tell You a Secret and Cost of the Crown.
2. What is Lucy Hough’s age?
As of 2025, Lucy Hough is 35 years old. She was born in January 1990 in the United Kingdom.
3. What does Lucy Hough do at The Guardian?
At The Guardian, Lucy Hough serves as an audio journalist and producer. She works on flagship podcast projects, covering political, social, and investigative topics. She has also presented Election Extra, a podcast miniseries on the 2024 UK and US elections.
4. Where did Lucy Hough study journalism?
Lucy Hough studied Broadcast Journalism at City, University of London, where she graduated with distinction. She also holds a BA (Hons) in Theatre from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
5. How can I listen to Lucy Hough’s work?
Lucy Hough’s journalism can be heard on The Guardian’s Today in Focus podcast and other audio series such as Cost of the Crown and Can I Tell You a Secret. These are available on major podcast platforms and The Guardian’s official site.
