UKTV chief content officer on family films, Italian escapes and Andy Murray
Earliest memory
Slicing the top of my finger off by closing a metal deck chair on it at the age of three, and having it encased in ice while I was rushed to hospital to have it sewn back on again!
Passion outside TV
Cooking. I love nothing more than spending time in the kitchen over a bubbling pot of something. Actually, if I’m honest I should probably say ‘eating’. That’s always the best bit of cooking.
Last time I cried
Watching a Disney Pixar movie with the family. I’m hopeless at keeping it together in the cinema or on the sofa when there’s a tearjerker moment.
Growing up I…
Wanted to be a policeman. It was all TV’s fault, though. I wanted to be like TJ Hooker and throw a baton to trip up a criminal. Then I saw The Bill and was brought back to reality.
My big break
Getting three weeks’ work experience covering a runner for MTV. It opened my eyes to the world of TV and (bar four weeks working as a filing clerk for Prudential) I’ve never left.
Massive mistake
Which one to pick? Which one to admit to?!
I shout at the telly…
When that moment arrives in every police drama where the hero goes charging in to save the day without calling, for or waiting for backup. It drives me mad every single time, even though I always know it’s about to happen.
Holiday destination
Italy. Love the food, wine and people.
Devastating rejection
Claire Wallace, aged seven.
Best advice
As a child listening to my father being interviewed on local radio, I heard him support an argument with lots of statistics. When I asked him how he remembered so much information he told me he had made the fi gures up. He said as long as you say something with confi dence, people will believe you. Advice I’ve lived by.
Celebrity crush
Julia Sawalha in Press Gang.
Deal with stress
Doing something totally away from TV. Watching the kids play football, walking the dog, cooking or playing golf.
Funniest day in TV
Hosting the annual UKTV awards event in a blue sequinned jacket with a live house band.
Scariest experience
15 October 2007, 7am, sat in the office looking at the EPG and seeing a channel named ‘Dave’ appear and fearing my TV career might be over just as it was beginning.
Born and bred
In Cornwall. A small village with just one shop and a Morgan garage. I had only seven classmates in my year at primary school.
Sporting hero
It’s hard to look beyond the never-give-up attitude, composure and all-round class of Andy Murray. Also, my wife and I got married in an old Scottish house that he now owns and runs as a hotel.
Signature dish
I’d say homemade Christmas pudding, but my kids would probably go for weekend breakfast waffles.
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