Paul Connolly

Paul Connolly is an investigative broadcast journalist, television presenter and documentary maker with near two decades of experience under his belt. He is an elite-level keynote speaker, celebrated for his commanding presence and ability to engage audiences across diverse platforms.

Specialising in covert filming and undercover work, Paul has risked life and limb to unmask some of Britain’s most dangerous criminals – and in a world first, lived as an inmate in four of the toughest prisons on earth.

More recently, Paul has produced a radio documentary raising concerns about the risk of crime created through the use of Artificial Intelligence.

With a wealth of experience as a radio presenter, podcaster, and media trainer, Paul has honed his communication expertise through years of delivering award-winning content.

Contact Great British Speakers today to book law & order crime investigative reporter Paul Connolly for your next event.

Type Of Speaker

A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) Event Hosts Keynote Law, Crime & Security Moderators & Facilitators Politics & Current Affairs Presenters Speaker Virtual Speakers

More About Paul Connolly

These days, Paul Connolly is a vastly experienced investigative journalist best known for his work on crime – and the daring undercover operations that have seen him infiltrate criminal gangs in cities and towns across Britain. His acclaimed and extremely successful documentaries have aired on Channel 5 in the UK, Netflix, Discovery Channel, BBC Worldwide, Nine Network in Australia, TV3 in Ireland and on many other networks besides.

Paul Connolly Irish UK Channel 5 Netflix Discovery Channel BBC investigative broadcast journalist television presenter law crime documentary maker at Great British Speakers

Paul Connolly | TV Crime Programmes

Paul’s Channel 5 series has seen him go undercover to buy large shipments of fake and poisonous vodka from Eastern European crooks in Black-Market Britain. For months he immersed himself in the underworld to expose large-scale welfare fraud in Undercover Benefits Cheat.

He narrowly escaped injury when, in Undercover Criminal, he secretly filmed from the passenger seat of a car as insurance fraudsters intentionally crashed into each other at speed; In Hunted And Confronted he interrogated the world of consumer-related crime and corruption. It was in two series of Undercover: Nailing The Fraudsters that Paul came face-to-face with high-end document forgers, international drug traffickers, ruthless con-men, dark-web scam-artists.

Never one to shy away, Paul Connolly is notorious also for the fearless manner in which he confronts and holds criminals to account when, finally, he can step out from behind his undercover identity to reveals who he really is. To say those moments are at times explosive, gripping and ultimately life-threatening is an understatement.

Paul Connolly | Keynote Public Speaking

Paul is also a well-known radio personality in his native Ireland, an established public speaker and events host; he has also had numerous articles published in newspapers and other publications, both online and in print.

Paul Connolly | Keynote Talks

AI’s Dark-Future: Navigating the Rise of Tech-Driven Crime: This talk follows on from a BBC documentary Paul made about the intersection between artificial intelligence and crime.

Paul explores how deep fake videos and voice cloning have paved the way for new scams.
In this talk, Paul explores the different ways AI is used to commit horrific crimes. These include how voice cloning is used to extort money from fearful parents who believe their child has been kidnapped.

Using voices found on social media, criminals use voice cloning to create the sound of children screaming and pleading for help, convincing parents that their child has been kidnapped. While the kidnap is fake, the extortion of money really does happen.

Another area Paul covers is how AI is used in romance crime. In his documentary, Paul spoke to a woman convinced to part with £315,000 over a year-long relationship. Thinking this was love, her video calls with the man turned out to be deepfakes. The voice was made using generative AI, and all of this was made using pictures of an Argentine-Mexican actor.

Another chilling use of AI that Paul covers is the use of Generative AI in the creation of images of child sexual abuse made using existing images found of children on the Web. Not only the realm of paedophiles and abusers, the software is readily available to teenagers, and this has been used for extortion, with the creation of authentic-looking nude images.

Paul highlights how easy it is to clone a voice, explaining how he was able to use technology to scam his own mother out of money.

Crackling the Communication Code: Undercover Secrets Revealed: This is a talk about what years of undercover work taught Paul about communications. The techniques he learned, some by accident, others by design, have real applications in life and in the workplace. They can transform people’s approach to it. It’s been a revelation.

Paul Connolly UK Channel 5 Netflix Discovery Channel BBC investigative broadcast journalist television presenter law crime documentary maker at Great British Speakers

Paul Connolly | The Broadcast Institute

As the owner and lead trainer at The Broadcast Institute, the premier communications, mentoring, and coaching organisation in Ireland and the UK, Paul has trained top professionals in delivering impactful messages and mastering public speaking. His extensive knowledge of media and communications makes him a sought-after expert in keynote speaking, where his ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and charisma sets him apart.

Paul Connolly – Inside The World’s Toughest Prisons

He also presented Inside The World’s Toughest Prisons where, in a world first, he lived as a prisoner for a week inside four of the most dangerous lock-ups on earth.

Paul describes it as “equal parts fascinating, mind-altering and impossibly dangerous” but again, it has provided him with a rare and remarkable insight into the mind of a criminal. The series was first broadcast on Channel 5 in the UK, and later Netflix.

Paul Connolly UK Irish Channel 5 Netflix Discovery Channel BBC investigative broadcast journalist television presenter law crime documentary maker at Great British Speakers

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book investigative crime journalist and TV broadcaster Paul Connolly for your next live event.

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Testimonials

“Paul Connolly delivered a keynote speech at our annual conference, and it was nothing short of outstanding. His presentation was not only informative but also highly interactive and immensely entertaining. Paul has a remarkable ability to engage the audience, keeping everyone captivated from start to finish. His insights were valuable, his delivery was flawless, and the energy he brought to the event was infectious. I would have no hesitation in bringing Paul back every year – he’s a true asset to any conference lineup.”

Simon Elliot, CEO of the Community Schools Trust.

“Paul Connolly has been an integral part of our workshops, conferences and training programme for several years, inspiring our trainees in the UK and abroad to share their mental health journeys with confidence and authenticity. Paul’s warm and light-hearted approach makes him a natural public speaker, captivating audiences with his engaging and relatable style.

What I admire most about Paul is his honesty and his remarkable ability to put an audience at ease. He speaks candidly about both the highs and the challenges of his career as an investigative journalist, creating a space where genuine conversations can flourish.

Over the years, we’ve worked with many speakers to train and mentor our clients, but Paul remains our first choice. His sessions are always a highlight, and we eagerly look forward to having him join our workshops time and time again.”

James Scurry Co-founder & Director, Safely Held Spaces