The author of 5 books, Stephen Walker is a broadcaster and writer from Northern Ireland.

His latest book, ‘David Trimble : Peacemaker’ tells the remarkable story of the Ulster Unionist leader who became a Nobel Laureate. Featuring over 100 interviews including family members and key political players it gives a revealing insight into one of Northern Ireland’s most significant figures. 

‘David Trimble : Peacemaker’ charts the life of the most significant Unionist leader since the creation of Northern Ireland in 1921. The biography, the first to chronicle Lord Trimble’s life and death, has been described by The Irish Times as a ‘political page turner’.

This follows Stephen’s successful biography of Nobel Prize winner John Hume published by Gill Books in 2023.

‘John Hume : The Persuader’, is regarded as the definitive biography of the former SDLP leader. Including previously unpublished interviews with Hume, it was an Irish best-seller and was critically acclaimed across Ireland. 

Stephen’s other books include ‘Ireland’s Call : Irish Sporting Heroes who fell in the Great War’ which was published by Merrion Press in 2015. It told the dramatic stories of players and athletes who were household names and who swapped the sports field for the battlefield.  

An acclaimed biography of Kerry priest Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty entitled  ‘Hide and Seek : The Irish Priest in the Vatican who defied the Nazi Command’ was published by Harper Collins in 2011. It received much national coverage and was published in the UK, Ireland and the USA.

Stephen’s writing career began in 2007 with  ‘Forgotten Soldiers : The Irishmen Shot at Dawn’, which was published by Gill and MacMillan. It became an Irish best - seller and was shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards in 2007.

Stephen has a track record as an award winning journalist with over three decades broadcasting experience with the BBC.

As a news reporter, a documentary maker with BBC Spotlight, and BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent he covered the Troubles, the Peace Process, the Good Friday Agreement and Brexit.

He has interviewed prime ministers, political leaders and investigated paramilitaries. His work has been honoured by the Royal Television Society, the Irish Film and Television Academy, Prix Circom, the Association of European Journalists and the Communicators in Business Awards.

During his 12 years at Spotlight, Stephen investigated paramilitary figures, rogue salesmen, unscrupulous financial advisors, car clockers and oil and petrol smugglers.

His investigation into trawlermen who broke EU fishing quotas was honoured as the best documentary across Europe by the Association of European Journalists.

An undercover documentary into cross border fuel smuggling was commended by the European wide Prix Circom awards.

In 2000 he was awarded a Royal Television Society award for his ground breaking investigation entitled ‘The Life and Death of an IRA Quartermaster’. This documentary which examined in detail the killing of Diarmuid O’Neill featured never seen before police intelligence footage into an IRA gang targeting London.

From 2001 to 2003 he was a lobby correspondent based at Westminster and in 2005 Stephen was named as Northern Ireland Journalist of the Year.

A member of the National Union of Journalists since 1988, Stephen began writing books in 2007. He is a member of the Society of Authors and the Dublin based Irish Writers Centre.

In 2025 he was elected to the board of the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Annaghmakerrig in County Monaghan, an artistic residence supported by the Arts Councils of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

As an experienced host and speaker, Stephen Walker offers professionalism, insight and humour. An entertaining and engaging communicator, he has an ability to connect with audiences of all backgrounds. A natural story teller and interviewer he brings warmth and authority to any event.

Stephen has extensive experience chairing conferences and workshops. He has regularly worked with government agencies, councils and charities.

A seasoned broadcaster, Stephen has much experience of conducting interviews both in a live and recorded environment. He has worked as a media trainer and helps individuals understand the importance of clear communication in the pressurised world of 24 hour news and social media.

A regular guest at literary festivals, Stephen has spoken about his books at events across Ireland.

He is a keen supporter of the Aspects Literary Festival and Open House Festival which are based in Bangor in County Down and he has appeared at both these festivals many times.

He has also contributed to the Belfast Book Festival, the Dublin Book Festival, the Belfast Festival, the Rostrevor Literary Festival, Imagine and Hinterland Festival in Kells.

A series of events for ‘David Trimble : Peacemaker’ will begin in October 2025.