THE BEARDY HISTORIAN – Tony McMahon – as seen on TV!
Contact: tonymcmahon@rostraconsulting.org
Join me on YouTube: @tonymcmahon_historybear
Hi, I’m Tony McMahon – investigative historian, author, and journalist.
Email: tonymcmahon@rostraconsulting.org
Here I am with Dr Alice Roberts in her 2026 quest for the Holy Grail, produced by 9 of Cups and broadcast by Hearst Networks/History. We were examining an alleged Templar relic in the Somerset village of Templecombe. I film in the studio and on location in the UK and globally. As a former BBC news producer and print journalist, I also muck in with the writing, research, and identifying the best locations.
In 2025, I appeared alongside Bradley Walsh as he investigated various theories about the builders of the Pyramids and other wonders of Ancient Egypt. I’m first and foremost a storyteller who can take complex ideas and involved stories and make them relatable to mass audiences in a way that is compelling and entertaining.
Email: tonymcmahon@rostraconsulting.org
In February 2026, I was once more in Toronto filming with some great Canadian producers – in this case, Blue Ant. We nailed eight episodes for an amazing new documentary series. For every shoot, I come prepared having immersed myself in the topics and coming up with additional angles.
I’m an award short-listed author who has penned biographies, political analysis, history, and true crime. Over the last two years, I’ve been writing a trilogy on the Knights Templar for the publisher, Pen & Sword.
Email: tonymcmahon@rostraconsulting.org
Always enjoy speaking at book festivals, meeting the reading public and history enthusiasts. Recent highlights were the Battle of Evesham festival and the Oundle festival.
I was a reporter and producer at Sky News and the BBC in the early days of rolling news. So, I’ve always felt at home in a newsroom environment. Of late, I’ve been appearing on live TV news as an expert historian – and on occasion, having my own books reviewed.
Email: tonymcmahon@rostraconsulting.org
Subject areas:
- The Knights Templar – the mystery and the history of this enigmatic order of monastic warriors. I have three books out over the next couple of years with the publishers, Pen & Sword, about all aspects of the Templars – so look out for that!
- Jack the Ripper – in May 2024, Troubador will publish Jack the Ripper and Abraham Lincoln – my new book on the possibly identity of the Ripper and an unexpected link to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865!
- UFOs – analysing alleged UFO hotspots, the role of government, the military, and claims about contact with extraterrestrials
- 1970s, 1980s, 1990s – I have a massive interest in late 20th century culture, politics, scandals, the Cold War, and musical genres like punk and disco
- Terrorism and violent extremism – I worked for a decade as a consultant to the UK and US government on communications around preventing extremism and wrote a book on Islamist ideology – it’s still an area that interests
- History of Horror – I’m rather obsessed with vampires, werewolves, and mythology plus the origin of children’s fairy stories
Accurate and entertaining
I occupy the middle ground between serious academia and the completely bonkers fringe conspiracy theorists. Making complex stuff easy to understand and fun to learn about. As one documentary producer said to me – remember the viewer has had a tough day at the office and just wants to be transported to some incredible place.
The darker side of history
For several years, I worked as a consultant in counter-terrorism and counter-extremism around the world for government clients. This played to my obsessions with politics, religion and history – and the violent way in which they mix. In 2016, I co-authored a well received book on non-violent Islamist extremism reviewed on several global news outlets.
I’m fascinated by the dark side of history. The plots, conspiracies, wars and revolutions that have convulsed the world for millennia. I’m often asked to talk about the Nazis and the Second World War but also the Cold War and Soviet Union. Going back further, I’m always happy to delve into murderous intrigues, death cults and assassinations. Crime and history are always a compelling combination.
Developing documentary ideas
Apart from appearing on screen, I’m also increasingly developing ideas for documentaries with partner companies and financiers.
I’m also a writing machine generating blogs, social media content, books, all forms of copy at an industrial rate. Never happier than when my fingers are dancing across the keyboard!
The Templar Knight – https://thetemplarknight.com/ For over ten years I have been running The Templar Knight blog, which has led to many TV documentary appearances talking about the history and mystery of the Templars as well as the many conspiracy theories.
Beardy History – https://beardyhistory.com/ This blog ranges over thousands of years of history from ancient Egypt to unsolved Victorian murders. It covers politics, history, and culture from new and compelling angles.
The 70s 80s 90s Blog – https://the70s80s90s.com/ This blog is about post-Second World War history with a strong focus on the last three decades of the 20th century. It charts the rise of President Ronald Reagan and the UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Financial scandals, rock and pop music trends, weird cults, and lifestyle issues.
History Bear on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@tonymcmahon_historybear On YouTube – I run the History Bear channel with playlists on the Knights Templar, the history of Horror from witches to werewolves; and films on all the top mysteries from the Bermuda Triangle to the Crystal Skulls.