´óÏó´«Ã½

There's no such thing as a typical week but I thought I'd give you a little insight into how this forthcoming Monday's programme was put together and the seven days leading up to it.

From Durham, to Northumberland, Yorkshire, London and back it's been a long week.

Monday 16 Nov.
Up and at 'em first thing. A live chat with Alfie & Charlie's breakfast show on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Newcastle to highlight that evening's lead story on Inside Out; the cold case in which a rapist was caught by DNA matching nearly two decades after the attack.

Then, it's straight off to to film in the pouring rain for a feature that will kick off our next series in January 2010.

I left a drenched producer in the downpour and hurtled back to the studios to prepare the links for this coming week's show.

Tuesday 17 Nov.
We decided Ripon would be a nice location for this week's presenter links. We started off at the and then popped into the market place for the grand opening link.

The sun which is low in the sky at this time of year causes us a few headaches with the sharp contrast between light and shade and long shadows, but we had crystal blue skies which made it look beautiful for cameraman Tom.

was next. We used the stunning ruins and the water park as great backdrops. Fortunately we got it all done and dusted before the sun sank from view.

Wednesday 18 Nov.
Early start in where I spent the morning motoring around with a driving instructor.

The filming assignment wasn't about driving but I was on my best behaviour, hoping he wouldn't notice any of the bad habits I had picked up since I passed my test (more than 30 years ago).

Again, you'll see the fruits of this in the next series. It might include a bizarre moment when I was made to putt a golf ball along a country road. The producer needs therapy.

While I'm out, picture editor Robin has put the finishing touches to the three films in this week's show and is adding in the links I filmed yesterday.

Thursday 19 Nov.
I'm in a bit of an awkward position because the next two days are hush hush. I can't reveal, yet, what I've been up to but as I tell my friends who ask me what stories I'm working on:

"Can you keep a secret? Yes? Well so can I."

Friday 20 Nov.
I'm still on my secret mission but by chance I'm writing this blog at ´óÏó´«Ã½ TV centre which is manic. It's Children in Need day so the place it crawling with celebs. climb out of a taxi as I'm lugging camera equipment about.

I pass Strictly Come Dancing professionals Vincent Simone and Brendan Cole in the corridor. All a bit glitzy compared to my normal life.

Back to reality as news comes in of the scale of the .

Some of our Inside Out producers are despatched to the area.

As I head back North, Monday's programme is being put together in my absence. Normally I get to view it in advance but I just have to hope it's all going well.

We often have to cut stories down to make it all fit and in this week's show I have produced one of the films.

Has my boss axed the best scenes?

Just like you, I'll have to watch it live on Monday at 7.30pm.

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?