What was your first job as a journalist?
Breakfast Show Sports Presenter at BBC Radio WM in 1987, working with the legendary Tony Butler. 38 years later, I’m doing the same job.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, my first newsrooms only used typewriters, BBC WM and Beacon Radio - and I’m from a family of typewriter mechanics and retailers!
How is social media changing news?
By pushing the news agenda in multiple directions faster than ever. The danger is confirmatory bias as people resort to echo chambers.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Lois Lane
What does it mean to be a journalist?
The sheer joy of telling a great story to interested people and the freedom and liberty to locate the truth in the face of misinformation.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
By email. I do read them.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Edirol R-09 digital recorder, Zoom, Elgato HD camera, Audacity open source editing.
What's your favorite social network?
X
Who do you wish followed you?
I’m happy with the list of great people that already follow me on X.
Why did you become a journalist?
Because I loved listening to speech radio as a boy. I lapped up football on local radio and so it was inevitable, I’d chase the dream!
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes, at sixth form college. But I was always a broadcaster.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
The Red Sea Spies, the extraordinary partnership between Ethiopia's Jews and the Mossad to get them out of refugee camps in Sudan.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Build your career around your personal interests. This will guarantee your drive to be the best. From there, broaden your skills set.
When's the best time to pitch you?
By email anytime!
What's the best pitch you ever got?
To be a regular paper reviewer on Sky News. I emailed my friend Eamonn Holmes and he recommended me. It kicked off a whole new life chapter.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
An LBC producer came to my sports desk to ask me to go down to Wembley and interview the captains 10 minutes after the FA Cup final!
What's your favorite drink?
Dirty Chai Latte or an Irish Whisky, depending on the time of day. I'm not a coffee shop regular though. I'm happy putting the kettle on.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
On my iPhone. With my wife and kids. In the park. On the school run. Praying.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Daily Telegraph.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That if you’ve become well-known in football, you can’t possibly do anything else. It’s so very wrong! Follow your dreams and make new pals.
