Hot Shots 2025: Callum Metcalfe

Callum Metcalfe is among the generation of university students whose life was forced online by the pandemic. But since graduating from the University of Salford, he has wasted no time in striding forth into the newsrooms of 5 News and ITV News.

Hailing from a small, former mining village near Wakefield, Metcalfe moved to London four years ago and within months of joining 5 News – and as the youngest person in the room at the time – he stepped up to act as news editor.

Metcalfe was soon rewarded with the sta role of deputy news editor, leading the daily planning team while still covering the news editor’s duties on major stories, including the 2022 murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, the disappearance of Nicola Bulley in 2023, and last summer’s Nottingham attacks.

Metcalfe’s success in the role earned him the trust of 5 News bosses to set up coverage from Normandy for a range of special programmes marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Since last summer, Metcalfe has been content editor at ITV News London. Despite his tender years, he has cemented himself as a key member of the senior editorial team, says ITV News London editor Hannah Emerson-Thomas.

“A unique young journalist who has risen through the ranks of two commercial news broadcasters in just a few years, there isn’t much Callum can’t turn his hand to,” she says.

“His passion, ideas and ability to bring even his most seasoned and sceptical colleagues along for the ride amazes me, given his young age. He is hugely impressive, and is a rising star.”