主播大秀

You may have heard me read the news on 主播大秀 Radio Sheffield and also reporting on news stories across South Yorkshire. Behind the scenes I sometimes set up programmes.听

Best bits

No two days are the same, the people I work with are great and I'm very proud to say I work for the 主播大秀!

The best story you've worked on?

The murder of Younis Khan in Pitsmoor in 2007. I was the first journalist from any organisation on the scene and served 主播大秀 5Live, News 24, Radio 4 and Radio Sheffield throughout the morning. It was exhausting but gave me a real buzz to know I was working for the 主播大秀. I just ran on adrenaline that day.

The area

I cover all of South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, one minute I can find myself in Chesterfield market, the next at a police staion in Barnsley and then across to Chatsworth House in Derbyshire - although to be fair I love Chatsworth so it's not hard to persuade me to go out that way!

Best interview

That's a hard one... I've done so many! I've spoken to a few celebs including Jamie Oliver, David Cameron and Jerry Hall which were all great fun.

The most moving one was where I spoke to a father whose son had been struck down with MS. It was very emotional and he talked really openly about being told the terrible news from the doctors. It was very moving and when he broke down I found it hard not to cry myself. But I then spoke to his son who was amazingly upbeat and determined not to let it get him down. It's when you speak to people like that it makes your grumbles mundane.

Behind the mic

I love all sorts of sports; hockey, tennis, climbing and walking are my favourites. I love seeing my friends, though they are scattered all over the country so I rarely have a free weekend! I'm a big foodie too, so is my boyfriend, so we're always trying out new dishes and eating out at different restuarants. I love travelling too so any opportunnity and I'll be on a plane somewhere! I've also just taken up floristry so I'm forever down at the wholesale market at some ungodly hour to buy the flowers for weddings, anniversaries and presents for friends!

Embarrassing moments

I once added a 'sh' to Yorkshire City by mistake. I used to be constantly mixed up both on and off air with Peggy Walker who used to work here. Doesn't bode well when you have to tell the presenter who you are before your bulletin even starts!

Love of the job

Breaking news without a doubt and breaking it first over other organisations. And all the interesting people you meet along the way.

Does the news still shock you?

Every day. I still when I turn on the radio or TV gasp at some of the stories we report on.

Biggest story you've worked on:

9/11 - I was working at another station at the time but that was by far the biggest story I've broke on air. I was literally talking as the pictures on the TV were developing, especially when the first tower crashed to the floor, it brought tears to my eyes.

Why did you decide to work in the news?

I loved sport and wanted to be like Sue Barker but realised to work in sport you needed an incredible amount of knowledge of your preferred sport which was hockey- not exactly mainstream and you must like football which I don't! So realised that news would be the next best thing and now I work in news realise it's much better and more varied!

Why did you choose a job in radio, rather than print or TV:

Print never interested me as it wasn't instant enough and TV seemed too pretentious and time consuming!

What do you love about South Yorkshire and the North Midlands?

I grew up in Derbyshire and went to school in Bakewell and had nights out in Sheffield so it holds lots of great memories for me. Plus we're just minutes away from the Peak District in Sheffield which I regularly go walking and climbing in!

What advice would you give to somebody who wants to get into this line of work?

Do as much work experience as you can physically fit in and do lots of different placements, never give up and be prepared for lots of knockbacks. Oh, and also know how to make a good cup of tea!

Do you have to speak in a certain way when on the radio?

Go slow, slow and slow again. And if you cant pronounce a word, practise saying it off air or leave it out!

If you have a story for Natalie, you can email her direct or call the 主播大秀 Radio Sheffield newsroom on 0114 2675440.