Matt Barbet – Q&A

Name?

Matt Barbet

Age?

29

Where are you from?

Born in Chester, brought up in North Wales.

How did you get started in broadcasting?

Two weeks freelance at Red Dragon FM in Cardiff – and then post-grad at the city’s journalism school.

When was that?

1998

Why News broadcasting?

It’s constantly changing, so every day is different – and when something huge happens, it can be incredibly exciting.

Where else would have viewers seen or heard you before?

IRN, Channel 5 News, Liquid News, BBC Radio 1.

What is your Best on-air moment?

Reporting pitch-side as England beat Germany 5-1 in Munich in 2001. All semblance of broadcaster impartiality went out of the window as each of the goals went in, and I just shouted myself hoarse repeating the scoreline into my mic.

What is your Worst on-air moment?

When I was at Radio 1, I was sight-reading a story about a boy who had lost both of his arms. Unfortunately, the way the script was written led me to add and his legs, when in fact he hadn’t. Everyone in the studio creased up, while all the blood ran from my face. I swiftly apologised and handed to sport…

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Tennis, playing the guitar, supporting Liverpool, trying to enjoy the best London has to offer.

What advice would you give to anyone that would like to get into the broadcasting world?

As well as the universal truths like having to work for free, not getting paid enough etc, do watch The Day Today. It’s almost exactly like that.

A big thanks to Matt for taking part.

Posted by on Thursday 21 May 2009
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