From TV reporter to nun like ‘makeover show in reverse’

Former BBC journalist Martina Purdy drew a large crowd to the Little Way Novena in Derry

One of Northern Ireland’s top political correspondents who left her career in the BBC to become a nun, has described her career change as a “makeover in reverse”.

Martina Purdy made the surprise announcement last year that she was leaving BBC Northern Ireland, after over 20 years in journalism, to join the Sisters of the Adoration in west Belfast.

Speaking to a large crowd at the Little Way Novena in St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry, Ms Purdy said she made the decision because she “wanted to have a more meaningful life and do more for others”.

“I knew it was my choice. I could stay at the BBC, have a good life or I could go and give my life to God. I could be transformed. So I’m like: ‘Yes, Lord, I’m in. I want to be transformed’,” she told the congregation.

“This is what happens when you go deeper into your faith. You end up wearing brown on the Falls Road,” she joked. “I feel a little bit like I’m in a makeover show in reverse.”

Decision

Mr Purdy said her decision to join the contemplative order received a mixed reaction from friends, colleagues and politicians who knew her.

“When I phoned a number of the politicians to tell them myself, I have to say a few were uncharacteristically quiet. One thought I was joking.

“I called one of my relatives to tell them I was quitting the BBC to become a nun and he said ‘are you drunk?”. I said ‘no, I’m not drunk, I’m just happy’.”

She said most people were “surprisingly supportive and very loving” after she announced her decision to become a nun.

“In fact, two friendly journalists came to see me at the convent. They planned to stage an intervention but when they saw how happy I was, they just gave up and wished me well.”