Ed Balls

I interviewed the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families at a school in Malton for my colleague who was working on a story about libraries being compulsory in prisons but not in schools. I tried quite a few times to push him on this but, typical politician, he knows how to answer difficult questions.

His press officer was very keen dictate where we shot the interview (living up to the government press officer stereotype of being controlling!). There was a 'The Thick Of It' moment, when the press officer and my cameraman had a blazing row about where it would be filmed - eventually we agreed to do it in a meeting room with a rack of books behind him.

Charlie Brooker - How to report the news

A superb parody on lazy story telling. It's a warning to me and all TV journalists to think carefully about how we put together our packages.



To watch more of Brooker's Newswipe, click here.

Golf Millions

I went to a golf course to meet a very rich lady and a young golfer who's benefited from the money she's given to charity. I put a 'piece to camera' (where I talk to the camera) in the story because when I worked at ITV Meridian they were expected in packages. I regret putting it in as it didn't add anything - I think pieces to camera should be used to show viewers something extra.

York Troops

Troops parading always provide good pictures for TV news stories. I enjoyed the challenge of being out in York with the soldiers and then heading back to the newsroom in Leeds to edit the package all within a few hours.

ITV Trainees' Highlights

This video was put together at the end of the 2008/09 ITV News traineeship. It captures what it was like to be a trainee and always puts a smile on my face when I watch it. We saw it for the first time on the trainees' last get together in Birmingham in September and rounded off a very enjoyable traineeship year.