Catherine Jacob – Q&A

Name?
Catherine Jacob

Age?
29

Where are you from?
Tyne and Wear

How did you get started in broadcasting?
After graduating, I became a radio traffic and travel presenter while working in the newsroom during the day as a freelance reporter/newsreader. Was accepted for the ITN News Trainee Scheme in 2000 and have been in TV news ever since.

When was that?
1999

Why News broadcasting?
I’ve always loved writing so journalism was always a possibility. Caught the broadcasting bug while on work experience at Century FM in Newcastle and went from there. Day to day news is an exciting (if stressful) place to work – mix of live broadcasts, investigations, longer features, breaking news – no day’s the same. And you get to find out a little – about a lot of different subjects!

Where else would have viewers seen or heard you before?
Started out in the North East – at Century FM and BBC Newcastle. After a stint as a producer, I was a reporter at ITV News for two years before joining Five News, which is now produced by Sky, so you’ll hear me on there occasionally too.

What is your Best on-air moment?
I really enjoyed covering the Soham trial for the ITV News Channel – I was in court every single day, doing reports every half an hour for nearly 3 months!! Breaking the verdict live on air at the end of all that was pretty satisfying.

What is your Worst on-air moment?
Toss up between calling Harry RedKNAP Harry RedKNOB 3 times during a live report on the ITV News Channel (and having Harry Hill’s TV’s Naughtiest blunders chasing my boss for the off-air tape) and drying up on air in the middle of a live court report when a dog ran up and started sniffing my hand while I was speaking! Both pretty excruciatingly bad!

What would you like to do before your career ends?
Make and present a series of investigative documentaries.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Sleeping! Travelling. Drinking wine. Sleeping some more!

What advice would you give to anyone that would like to get into the broadcasting world?
Persevere – be ambitious, relentless and don’t be scared to badger people (in the nicest possible way) to get a foot in the door. Get as much experience as you can in as many different fields as you can – and keep your options open.

Other Information?
Proudest moment so far: Being a finalist for RTS Young Journalist of the Year award, 2005.

A big thanks to Catherine for taking part.

Posted by on Thursday 21 May 2009
Copy link