- Tony Morris
I've worked at Granada since 2003 having started in local radio with the BBC twenty years ago.
Most people seem to get into this industry after university but I went a different route. I spent ten years in the Royal Air Force, then had various jobs selling insurance, working in factories and a stint as a DJ working in clubs in Denmark (brilliant fun!). As far as career highlights go - there are lots. One trip that stands out took me to the minefields of Cambodia which was a truly humbling experience.
I've interviewed a number of prime ministers, pop and sports stars and it may seem a cliche but I'm lucky to do the job I do and I really enjoy it most of the time.
- Lucy Meacock
Incredibly I’ve been at Granada since 1988. I can’t believe it’s been that long. It’s flown by. It’s been a real honour to do this job – we have the best viewers anywhere in the UK and the best news patch for the big stories, the strange-but-true stories and the funniest stories.
I now combine my work at Granada with presenting for ITN. A lot of viewers have emailed to ask if I am planning to move away to London and the answer is absolutely not. I love the North West and I am very happy here. At Granada I have presented everything from This Morning and Up Front with Tony Wilson to the cookery programme the Main Ingredient and Eye in the Sky.
- Jo Blythe
I’ve been a weather presenter for ITV since June 2001. It was my first job after leaving Leeds Metropolitan University.
The best bit about my job is getting to meet and work with some strange and wonderful people.
The weather is our national preoccupation, I’m guiltier than most because I talk about it all the time! I think my funniest moment was being caught on camera very early on in my career singing Elvis songs whilst swinging my plunger in a Las Vegas style!
Outside work, I love going for walks with my spoilt-rotten dog, Oscar. He’s an 8 stone Weimaraner so it’s more a case of him walking me!
- Fred Talbot
I’ve worked on Granada Reports since 1984. I’ve always had a passion for astronomy and that’s how I got into TV - as they wanted someone to talk about space and the night sky. Long before I did the weather I was popping up on the programme telling people about events they could see above their heads.
October 1988 saw the first “This Morning” and I was there on my floating map.
Obviously the streaker on the map will go down in the history of television but if you work in live television anything can happen and usually does.
I have a fascination in finding out about curious things and love travelling round the North West visiting unusual places and meeting great people.
- Mike Hall
My first job was on the Newton and Golborne Guardian newspaper in 1993, then the Warrington Guardian as a sports reporter, then the Bury Times as sports editor, followed by a brief spell on the Bolton Evening News. I joined Granada in 1999.
Career highlights include working on the 2006 World Cup in Germany; the Beijing Olympics, the Champions League Finals of 2005, 2007 and 2008, and all five of Ricky Hatton’s world title fights in the USA.
Notable achievements include winning the Royal Television Society’s National Sports Reporter of the Year Award in 2005 and Regional Presenter of the Year in 2008. One of my funniest moments at Granada has to be filming on the streets of Beijing with St. Helens’ funny man Bernie Clifton as he raced up and down on his ostrich! Surreal!!!! We got some very funny looks from the locals outside the Bird’s Nest (of all places!)
- Claire Ashforth
After travelling, touring with a few bands and a stint as Chris Evans’ PA, I finally started work at ITN in Westminster and got hooked on the drama, intrigue and the Politics! From a sleepless 2001 General Election to endless hours outside Downing Street, there was never a dull moment!
I became Granada’s Political Correspondent in 2002. It means I get the best of both worlds -being based in Manchester and still getting to spend time in Westminster .
Since then it’s been fun, chaos and entertainment…from standing on board HMS Illustrious as it docked in Liverpool to having presenter Paul Crone throw custard pies at me on his Tour of Talent. It’s certainly been varied - and there’s still the next General Election to look forward to!