Keir Simmons
Keir Simmons
Keir Simmons | |
|---|---|
 Simmons reporting from the Parsons Green bombing | |
| Born | 22 February 1972 London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Goldsmiths College (University of London) |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Spouse(s) | Jessica Binns (m. 2012) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Mika Simmons |
Keir Simmons (born 22 February 1972) is an English journalist. He has been the senior international correspondent for the NBC morning show Today since December 2018. He also appears regularly on the evening broadcast NBC Nightly News, and fills in as an anchor on MSNBC.
From August 2012 until December 2018, Simmons was a foreign correspondent for NBC News. Previously, he was the UK editor for ITN' s ITV News.
Keir Simmons | |
|---|---|
Simmons reporting from the Parsons Green bombing | |
| Born | 22 February 1972 London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Goldsmiths College (University of London) |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Spouse(s) | Jessica Binns (m. 2012) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Mika Simmons |
Early life and education
Simmons was born in London, England and grew up in Bristol. He was educated at Wellsway School, a state comprehensive school in the town of Keynsham in Somerset and St Brendans College, a state Catholic school, followed by Goldsmiths College, a constituent college of the University of London, where he earned a bachelor's degree.[1]
Career
Simmons's first job in journalism was as a court reporter covering murders and scandals in London at one of the world’s oldest courts, The Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, commonly referred to as Old Bailey. Simmons then moved into radio, joining ITN as a reporter for UK’s Independent Radio News (IRN) in 1996, before becoming a general reporter on its ITV News service in 1998.
While at ITV, Simmons reported on major domestic and international stories including the 2004 tsunami, the Mumbai terror attacks, the murder of Alexander Litvinenko and the Virginia Tech massacre. He was one of the first journalists to cover the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann.[2]
In 2010, Simmons was the first to report that the UK government was paying millions of pounds in compensation to former prisoners of Guantanamo Bay.[2]
On 30 September 2010 ITV News announced that Simmons would be appointed as the new UK Editor.[3]
In 2011, Simmons led ITV's coverage of the country's phone hacking scandal, breaking countless exclusive stories including news of the arrest of key figures and the resignation of the head of the police, Scotland Yard's Commissioner.[2]
While working as a reporter for ITV News, Simmons occasionally made on-air appearances on Sky News, 5 News, and ITV London's London Tonight. In September and October 2011, he guest presented on ITV Breakfast program Daybreak.
NBC News (2012 - present)
Since joining NBC News, Simmons has had a track record of exclusive and prominent interviews. He has covered almost every major world story, including Europe's wave of terror attacks, the Trump Russia scandal, the selection of Pope Francis, and the 2016 Summer Olympics, as well as interviews with many world leaders and some of the most recognized figures in Hollywood.
In March 2013, Simmons covered the resignation of Pope Benedict and selection of Pope Francis for Today from Rome.[4]
In February 2014, he covered the 2014 Winter Olympics from Sochi for NBC.[5]
In November 2015, Simmons covered the Paris terror attacks.[6] Earlier that month, he interviewed Daniel Craig on his final James Bond film, Spectre.[7]
In December 2015, Simmons interviewed Eddie Redmayne and the cast of The Danish Girl to discuss the Oscar buzz surrounding the film.[8]
In March 2016, he covered the Brussels terror attacks for NBC News, appearing on Today, Nightly News and MSNBC.[9]
In May 2016, Simmons interviewed George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Jodie Foster at the Cannes Film Festival for their new film, Money Monster.[10]
In August 2016, he covered the 2016 Summer Olympics from Rio de Janeiro for Today.[11]
In April 2017, he covered the Stockholm truck attack for Today.[13]
In July 2017, Simmons covered the fiery protests across Hamburg, Germany in response to the G20 Summit held there.[14] His coverage was intense, reporting while running from a water cannon and streaming on Facebook Live.
On 28 June and 31 July 2017, and on 8-12 January 2018, he co-hosted Today with Kathie Lee and Hoda, filling in for Kathie Lee Gifford.
In August 2017, Simmons covered the Barcelona attacks for Today.[15]
In February 2018, he covered the 2018 Winter Olympics from Pyeongchang for NBC.[16]
Awards
In 2003, he was nominated for a Royal Television Society Award.[18]
In July 2016 he was nominated for an Emmy Award in the category 'Outstanding Coverage of a Breaking News Story in a News Magazine' for his contribution to a Dateline NBC special 'Terror in Paris'.[19]
In July 2017 he was nominated for an Emmy Award in the category 'Outstanding Coverage of a Breaking News Story in a News Magazine' for his contribution to a TODAY Show special 'Terror in Brussels'.[20]
Personal life
In 2012, Simmons married Jessica Binns. Their twin daughters were born later that year.