“After failing my school exams with distinction, I had no idea what direction my life would take. A series of backstage jobs in London’s Theatreland led me to Elstree Studios, where I worked on Monty Python's The Meaning of Life. From there, I zigzagged through various roles until landing at the iconic BBC TV Centre in Wood Lane to work on Noel Edmonds' Late, Late Breakfast Show. Next stop: Wembley Stadium, as part of the team operating the giant TV screen for Queen: Live Magic.

A few years later, a chance encounter introduced me to what would become a lifelong passion: television news. Cutting my teeth and working alongside Westminster politics, I earned a secondment to Central TV's Cook Report before joining Sky News. My assignments took me to war-torn Bosnia and South Africa, where I witnessed Nelson Mandela’s historic election victory firsthand.

At The Associated Press (AP), I trained journalists and producers how to shoot and edit their own news footage - at the time, pioneering move. My bosses then sent me to sea aboard HMS Invincible, where I filmed Harrier jump jets in action. Reassigned to Paris, I embarked on a two-decade love affair with France - its culture, their cuisine, their people - and it all began with the tragic death of a princess.

The 1998 FIFA World Cup brought its unique party atmosphere to Paris, opening doors to interviews with presidents and world leaders. From there, my adventures continued: dodging David Bowie’s chewing gum, the Kosovo conflict, playing hide and seek with Ellen MacArthur, and breakfast with Lucius Malfoy ...”