E-MAIL THE PRESENTERS
Posted Friday March 1
Georgie Thompson answers your questions in the latest installment of E-mail the Presenters. Find out how she got started and how her very own greyhound is getting on!
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Georgie Thompson biography
E-mail Georgie or any of the other presenters
CRAVING THE COTTAGE
What football club do you support and who is your favourite player?
Lee Barton, Liverpool
Georgie: I support Fulham as they are my local team, I've always lived close by. My favourite player is Louis Saha - he was on fire at the start of the season and I hope he can get back to that kind of form. Although he plays for Manchester United, I also admire David Beckham - his determination to be the best is amazing.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
How you you get involved in presenting on Sky Sports News?
Greg Simpson, Nottingham
Georgie: After doing a Broadcast Journalism degree at Leeds University, I worked at GMTV as an entertainment researcher. Then I came to do a screen test at Sky Sports News and it was incredibly frightening. I was given a six-month Trainee presenter contract, when I learnt what everyone did in the newsroom - sub-editing, production, directing.
It is important to know what everyone's jobs involve - we're in a team and as stories break, we need to all work together to get it on air as quickly as possible. We all muck in on everything and it's an on-going dialogue.
COMPUTER ANTICS
What are you doing when you are tapping away on your computer when your co-presenter is talking?
Ross Raithby, Florida
Georgie: I hope it isn't too off-putting! Basically, we are looking at the scripts to see the next stories that are coming up. If there is a breaking news story, then we research them on the internet to find out some information or statistics.
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| Saha: Favourite player | |
EARLY BIRD
What time in the morning do you have to get up? How much does it affect your social life?
Tony Johnson, Belfast
Georgie: It's about 4-4.30am that I have to get up - it certainly isn't easy at times. It affects my social life massively, but I have learnt to work around it. When I started, I was organising lunches with friends, but I realise now that it's often better to get some sleep instead.
It is worth it though as I have a great job, and I know that I will be free after midday. Plus I have a very understanding boyfriend!
MOMENTS YOU'D RATHER FORGET
Have you had any embarrassing moments when you have been live on air?
Charlotte Young, London
Georgie: Too many to mention. On my very first day presenting, when I was really nervous, I broke my heel walking on to the set. It worked in my favour in the end as it relaxed me.
There seems to be a studio fly as well. Once as I was reading a link, it landed right on my nose. My co-presenter Steve Gaisford picked up a newspaper and pretended that he was going to smash me on the nose with it. I just burst into laughter.
CHILDHOOD ASPIRATIONS
Did you always want to be a newsreader when you were growing up?
Jenny Germaine, Norwich
Georgie: I wanted to be a journalist from the age of 12. I loved English and was always intruiged about what was going on. As soon as I was old enough, I did lots of work experience and then went on to do it at university. I love working in television and had always fancied becoming a newsreader, but if it didn't come off, I would still like to be involved in behind-the-scenes work in TV.
IT'S THE DOGS
I have heard you mention that you own a greyhound. What is it's name and how has it been doing?
Adam Gray, Coventry
Georgie: His name is Duke Box Jimmy. He's a puppy with bags of character, a real East End boy! It started when I teamed up with a couple of friends to buy him - we couldn't afford a racehorse, so this seemed like the next best thing. Going to the dogs is a wonderful night out.
He started very well, then had a bit of a slump, getting bumped by the other dogs on the bends. He's moved up a few grades recently, so when he settles in one, he'll be streaks ahead. Of his 14 races, he's won twice and had quite a few second and third-places. He's due a win so pile your money on any race now - just don't blame me if he doesn't win!
