TV Career
Overview. My broadcasting career started casually, alongside my racing commitments, in the early '80s. It was more a case of free tea and biscuits between races at British track events. It was something I found easy and it generated more exposure for my race team sponsors of the day. I had no aspirations of making a career from television but soon found that my mouth was as fast as my racing! Chris Carter, (journalist and top bike commentator of the day), was the first to ask me to join him in the 'box'. And Gerry Harrison, (Anglia TV), coached me in camera skills. These two men formed the basis of my life today. Murray Walker later wrote me a job reference, (it looked more like a doctors prescription), as my race career faltered in 1989, although I never used it. Then in 1991 along came an opportunity at Eurosport, based then in the very same buildings I occasionally work from now. I wrote to the Head of Sport, Richard Russell, to complain about how bad the French GP commentary was and he said "well you'd better come in". I did, met with a bearded 'anorak' called Julian Ryder, got to know a wonderfully enthusiastic team, and proper coverage of bike racing began. Later, Eurosport moved to France, Sky Sports was born and we were produced by the mercurial Martin Turner. That was when the whole game moved on to the standard of coverage we get today.
Early Days. It's hard to imagine now the way we were back when Sky Sports first started to show bike Grand Prixs here in 
the UK. Here's an early studio shot circa 1993. As I worry over the script, Julian Ryder extracts more information from Australian racer Rob Phillis. Sky Sports has always been based behind the old Gillette building on the A4 between Chiswick and London Heathrow, and with Suzuki Grand Prix based at Edenbridge in Kent the 'props' were readily available and very much appreciated.
Present Day. 2010 has seen some big changes in broadcasting. The emphasis for me was now motorsport rather than bikesport and, despite NASCAR having disappeared from my life after an enjoyable couple of years, the US motor racing scene looked good for Indy Car. Here in the UK one of the hi
ghlights of the year, where I could mix both cars and bikes, was the Festival of Speed at Goodwood. Lord March certainly knew how to throw a party! And my guest list was 'A' list. From Formula One; Lewis Hamilton, Sir Jackie Stewart and Sir Stirling Moss - From entertainment; DJ Chris Evans, Chef James Martin and Grand Designs' Kevin McCloud. It was a real departure from the usual style of sports show and I was the lucky one who got to present it live from a studio right in front of Goodwood House. For me, it doesn't get better than this!
Outside Broadcast. A live 'OB' is the best part of any broadcasters life. You get to be at the event, in t
he heart of the action. You get access to the best interviews, with the best people. It's like being a factory supported racer, the whole team is dedicated to making it the best show possible and you are the link to make all their efforts work. I might be the one you see, but behind me are upwards of 20 people. It's a real buzz, there's no hiding place, get it right and you feel on top of the game. Get it wrong and you are gutted for a week. It's the best job after racing, you can take my word for that!
Matching Egos. Finding a partner is not always easy, my personality is a bit 'full on' when I'm working. But there are some great ex racers out there with the balls to keep me under control! I invited James Whitham to partner me for
the British Superbikes in 2006 but, after persuading my Producer that James was the man, Whit changed his mind at the last minute and switched to another channel. So, at short notice, I had to find another commentary partner for our domestic bike championship. It's a bit like asking a mate to be best man when he knows the reason why you're asking. But Niall Mackenzie is nothing if not a complete professional and he agreed to step in. And he was brilliant.
A Bit on the Side. Occasionally I am asked to work for smaller independant production companys like Lace International. They are best remembered for a series of 'crash and burn' DVDs called Hell for Leather based around World Superbike champ Carl Fogarty's mark
eting potential of the time. And I didn't need asking twice when the filming location was Daytona during Bike Week. We had great fun, but the real action took place off camera. If only they could have been there when Carl was nicked on the beach for speeding by a cop who had no idea who he was. If you have ever seen Foggy part with money and have his ego burst simultaneously then you'll know how much that experience hurt him!