Matthew Steeples invites you to join him as he celebrates his 45th birthday with a discussion-dinner with Sky News crime legend Martin Brunt on the 27th January 2026 in London
“High praise for the Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt. When a hack from (another) newspaper phoned Suffolk Police press office with a query on the serial killer case, he was told: ‘Call Martin Brunt. He knows everything before we do.’ A little concerning.”
Hugo Rifkind, The Times, 22nd December 2006
Matthew Steeples invites you to PJ’s Chelsea Brasserie in London on his own 45th birthday for an evening where he will chat to the author, commentator and renowned Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt about his 36 years delving into stories of deaths, deviancy and drama in Britain and beyond.
Educated in Soham – best known as the place where Ian Huntley brutally slayed 10-year-olds Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells in August 2002 – Brunt began his career as a reporter on local newspapers before moving to the Sunday Mirror as chief reporter and then joined Sky News for its launch in February 1989. For 36 years hence, Brunt became a staple in households throughout the land as he covered stories ranging from the ‘House of Horrors’ murders committed by Fred and Rosemary West in Gloucester to the still ongoing case of the disappearance of the toddler Madeleine McCann in Portugal in 2007.
Aside from meeting murderers and maniacs, Brunt’s career in crime reporting is highlighted as one where he became acknowledged for his ability to gain access to sources others could not dream of and one where he has been able to observe the character traits of such criminals as “Britain’s most violent prisoner” Charles Bronson from an alternative angle. He recounts what he describes in his 2023 memoir No One Got Cracked Over The Head For No Reason as the “odd moments of humour or humanity” he has found in “even the darkest cases” with an example where Hatton Gang vault robber described his gang as being “Dad’s Army rather than criminal masterminds,” for example.
On 27th January at PJ’s Chelsea Brasserie – following on from rip-roaring evenings with amongst others actor, writer and producer Steven Berkoff, filmmaker Amanda Eliasch, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York author Andrew Lownie and Manhunt and Crime Suspect host Peter Bleksley – you will get to enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner after 45-minutes of conversation and questions with this tenacious reporter and commentator and to learn of some of the true stories behind the headlines of cases ranging from the 2015 murder conviction of South African blade runner Oscar Pistorious to the 1987 Knightsbridge Safe Deposit robbery.
Tickets are priced at £85 per person and include a glass of Prosecco on arrival and half a bottle of either red or white wine per person also with dinner. Full details of how to book follow below.
We do hope you can join us for what will be an evening of convivial conversation and classic crime capers.
Follow Martin Brunt on X at @skymartinbrunt.
Follow Matthew Steeples on X at @M_Steeples and The Steeple Times at @SteepleTimes.
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Booking Details
TIMINGS
- The event is to be held on Tuesday 27th January 2026.
- Arrivals for Prosecco in a private setting on the first floor of PJ’s Chelsea Brasserie from 6.30pm.
- Matthew Steeples in conversation with Martin Brunt at 7pm prompt with audience questions to follow for 45 minutes.
- 3-course dinner with wine, with options for those with particular dietary requirements, to follow. Guests will have the opportunity to chat with Martin Brunt and Matthew Steeples during the dinner.
- After dinner, guests will be welcome to continue discussions downstairs at the legendary PJ’s bar for further cocktails and conversation.
ADDRESS
- The event is to be held at PJ’s Chelsea Brasserie, 52 Fulham Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 6HH.
- The nearest London Underground station is South Kensington (District, Circle and Piccadilly lines); it is located just 5 minutes away on foot.
- The event is to be held on the first floor of the building; access is by staircase only.
PAYMENT FOR TICKETS AND BOOKING QUERIES
Deadline for booking – Monday 26th January 2026 at 4pm; tickets can only be purchased in advance and guest names must be supplied for allocated place settings.
Tickets can be purchased at a rate of £85 per person. Please make payment by bank transfer to:
- Bank: Barclays Bank
- Account Name: Longreach Publishing Limited
- Sort Code: 20-90-74
- Account Number: 63608697
- IBAN: GB13BUKB20907463608697
- SWIFTBIC: BUKB
- Please reference payments “BRUNT” and include your surname and the surnames of any guests also to aid our record keeper.
Should you have any queries or questions, please contact Jane Monckton at [email protected]
SET MENU – 3 course dinner, Tuesday 27th January 2026
The ticket price includes a glass of Prosecco on arrival, ½ a bottle of either red or white wine per person and a choice of one of each of the following:
STARTERS
SEARED TUNA wasabi & avocado purée, toasted sesame seeds, yuzu and soy dressing
SCOTCH BEEF CARPACCIO wild rocket, parmesan, mustard dressing
BURRATINA shaved truffle, baby plum tomatoes, rocket, toasted focaccia
CRISPY FRIED ARTICHOKES caper and herb mayonnaise
MAINS
THE PJ’S BURGER 8oz patty, mature cheddar cheese, bacon, iceberg lettuce, pickle, smoked crackling mayonnaise, fries
CHICKEN MILANESE wild rocket, artichoke & Reggio cheese salad, toasted sesame, tahini honey dressing
GRILLED SEABASS FILLET French beans, cherry tomatoes, black olives & pesto
ROAST CAULIFLOWER STEAK chickpeas and roasted red pepper, chipotle hummus, chimichurri
PUDDINGS
CLASSIC CRÈME BRULEE
BELGIAN CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CAKE
CHOCOLATE & VANILLA CHEESECAKE white chocolate sauce, mixed berry compote
SELECTION OF SORBETS & ICE CREAMS three scoops
