He was born in Trinidad in the West Indies. His mother had decided to name him Trevor, but when his father took him to be baptised he forgot and named him George McDonald. Despite this he has always gone by the name of Trevor.
He worked for the BBC World Service as a producer in the 1960s, and moved to Britain at the end of that decade.
He joined ITN as a reporter in 1973, and steadilly rose to become, a newsreader by the late 1970s, and for years presented the 'News at Ten' bulletin. Later he became the host of Granada's current affairs programme Tonight with Trevor McDonald. His clear, confident delivery and serious attitude have made him one of television's most trusted reporters.
He is now seen as being a part of the broadcasting establishment, and was knighted in 1999.