Owen Thomas – Q&A

Name?
OWEN THOMAS

Age?
37.

Where are you from?
NOTTINGHAM

How did you get started in broadcasting?
GETTING PAID £5 / REPORT FOR RADIO NOTTINGHAM, WORKING FOR £18 / REPORT TWO MONTHS LATER AT RADIO WM WHILE OFFICIALLY BEING A STUDENT. THE REAL DOOR-OPENER WAS BECOMING A BBC NEWS TRAINEE.

When was that?
FROM 1987

Why News broadcasting?
I’VE ONLY EVER WANTED TO BE A JOURNALIST – THE GREAT THING IS THAT EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT.

Where else would have viewers seen or heard you before?
BEFORE THE ITV NEWS CHANNEL AND THE MORNING NEWS, I WAS A REPORTER / PRESENTER FOR LONDON TONIGHT, NEWSBEAT ON RADIO ONE, THE BUSINESS NEWS ON NEWS-24 AND BBC WORLD.

What is your Best on-air moment?
PRESENTING THE LAST HOUR OF THE ITV NEWS CHANNEL.

What is your Worst on-air moment?
TRAINING TO BE A COVENT GARDEN STREET ENTERTAINER FOR LONDON TONIGHT – IN AN AFTERNOON – AND HAVING TO PERFORM TO A CROWD WHICH DISPERSED IN SECONDS. MY PALMS STILL SWEAT WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT.

What would you like to do before your career ends?
PRESENT THE HOLIDAY PROGRAMME.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’M ADDICTED TO DEAL OR NO DEAL.

What advice would you give to anyone that would like to get into the broadcasting world?
IGNORE CAREERS ADVISORS WHO SAY THAT NOONE EVER MAKES IT IN JOURNALISM… WHAT ABOUT BEING A PRISON OFFICER?…. ACTUAL ADVICE GIVEN TO ME AT 14. AND… IF YOU’RE EVER ON WORK EXPERIENCE IN A NEWSROOM… ALWAYS ANSWER A RINGING PHONE IF IT’S IN FRONT OF YOU, EVEN IF YOU DON’T KNOW ANYBODY’S NAME.

A big thanks to Owen for taking part.

Posted by on Thursday 21 May 2009
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