1/2 Today I am officially two years clear of
#cancer
, described to me by medics as “the scariest period”. I feel so lucky I didn’t have to have my operation in
#covid
times. Thanks to
@NHSuk
for getting me this far. I am celebrating with an extra large can of alcohol free beer!
Over and out. My last standalone shift on 24 hour
@bbcnews
. Started on night shifts in 1997 - couldn’t count how many hours of live broadcasting I’ve done! Good luck to wonderful colleagues for their new venture. Really excited to be moving permanently to the
@bbcone
bulletins.
1/2 Realise there’s only one story in town
#HappyValley
- but just wanted to flag some job news, that I’m thrilled to be moving permanently to our BBC1 bulletins, working across
@bbcnews
at 1, 6 & 10. The volume of messages I’m receiving suggests this hasn’t been entirely clear…
TV is teamwork. Today this wonderful woman, legendary floor manager Tracey, stayed with us an extra 4 & a half hours after her early shift because she saw we were in challenging circumstances- out of the goodness of her heart. Arise Dame Tracey!
@bbcnews
#PlatinumJubilee
Overwhelmed by so many lovely back-to-work messages. I just want to say that my return wouldn't have been possible without our NHS. Sending love & thanks to the numerous
@NHSuk
staff who spotted my breast cancer, treated it, and continue to look after me. Thank you all.
Broadly speaking, I love my job. But once in a while a story comes along that is just too bleak for words. I am glad to be going home. Hope everyone has a peaceful evening.
#SheWasJustWalkingHome
I want to say a massive thank you for the mountain of lovely messages I’ve received today… from colleagues past & present, even people from rival news organisations! I’m overwhelmed & very touched. Sorry I’ve not yet had time to reply to everyone.
#bbcnews
Would just like to do a big shout out to so many wonderful colleagues past & present - 24hr
#BBCNews
changes on Monday. As the presenter who was there from beginning to end (!), I’m so sad I can’t be with everyone this evening to mark the moment. Thank you all X
@bbcnews
This statement made me well up… takes you right back to that moment of diagnosis. It’s seared in your memory. And I didn’t have three small children to think about. My thoughts are with all families tonight dealing with
#cancer
.
#PrincessofWales
Hang on in there. Life does return to normal. I still do all the things I loved before my mastectomy: walk my dog, enjoy the countryside, go to the gym, go to the theatre, hang out with friends. Oh yes, and do my job!
#BreastCancerAwarenessMonth
#breastcancer
#lobular
The anxiety leading up to my mastectomy was overwhelming. Now I feel relief.I'm sad that such a brutal procedure is necessary in many breast cancer cases,but I choose life.I'll follow Walt Whitman's words:Keep your face always toward the sun & the shadows will fall behind you
Happy
#LesbianVisibilityWeek
. Sadly I’m not visible at all today as I’m laid up in bed with some terrible bug… but back in the
@bbcnews
newsroom soon I hope - and around for some of the celebrations later in the week….
@DIVAmagazine
I’m generally pretty hard on myself about most things in life… but I’m proper proud of this. My 100th
#parkrun
! Only took up running after
#lobular
#breastcancer
. Thank you to all the volunteers who make it possible every week
@parkrunUK
Before everyone leaves Twitter, I’d just like to say a massive thank you for the numerous lovely messages about the
#FilmReview
on
@bbcnews
. I’m very sad about its demise too, it wasn’t my choice nor that of the fabulous
@KermodeMovie
. But I’m proper touched by the kind words.
Ah yes, a lesbian fairytale ending. Sensible jumpers and a pretty dog. My life in a nutshell. Apart from the witness protection, obvs.
#LineofDutyFinale
#LineofDuty6
@bbcone
I’ve had numerous messages today about
#GeorgeAlagiah
. Tellingly, as many from friends outside the media as in. He was widely loved and admired.
@bbcnews
Such a shock. I loved radio from a young age, and
#SteveWright
was one of those presenters who was always there. Even saw him at the Radio 1 Roadshow (remember those?!) by Eastbourne Pier in the 80s! I’m very sad for his family.
@BBCRadio2
Continuing that theme, my own good news is: this week I’m 4 years clear of
#lobular
#breastcancer
…. Treated myself to these goodies to mark another milestone. Only took up running after my operation & treatment and now I’m prepping for another 10K!
@parkrunuk
Chuffed to have managed the
@London10K
given the months I couldn’t run, post fall. I wasn’t fast but I made it! A big shout out to all today’s volunteers and musicians along the route.
#VitalityLondon10K
#running
2/2 but this of course comes against the backdrop of some excellent colleagues not having certainty about the path ahead - so I post my news with some awkwardness. Thank you to everyone for the many very kind messages.
#bbcnews
Oh gosh, I’m so very very sad to read this news this morning. Sat next to
#BillTurnbull
on the
@BBCBreakfast
sofa many times… he was always a live wire, even early in the morning. Full of fun and anecdotes. Bloody
#cancer
.
Wife: as you’re not well you can choose tonight’s film. Me: ooh I’ve still not seen
#Almodovar
’s
#ParallelMothers
. Wife: subtitles aren’t allowed on Saturday nights. (A domestic rule I was previously unaware of)
Did my first
@parkrunUK
today. All thanks to the excellent app
#Couchto5K
.
#cancer
#milestone
Not the fastest time, but at least I kept going. Though I may be sitting on the sofa for the rest of the day!
I’ll be back in the
@BBCNews
studio today after months of treatment. Pure coincidence - it’s 8 years to the day since I was told I had stage 4
#bowelcancer
So good to be with the News at Six team again.
On
#WorldCancerDay
I got a PB at
#ParkRun
! I only took up running in late 2019 after my cancer op & treatment. A big shout out to all those who’ve helped me get this far. And of course the volunteers who ParkRun possible. My next 10K is in April!
@NHSuk
@parkrunUK
OMG crying with laughter at
#LizaTarbuck
announcing she is obliged to bring you MISERABLE news EVERY HOUR! How I wish I could start my bulletins that way… I often feel I should apologise for the news!!
@BBCRadio2
@bbcnews
A big day, and a sad one,
for many of us. The last
#BBCNewsOne
from London, after more than 37 years! Do join us if you can at 1300. With a warning that we’ve brought in so much cake we’ll be broadcasting on a sugar rush…..
@bbcnews
@bbcone
Big day today. On air for the first time since November. Still... 6 months out of the newsroom... that's been plenty of time to sort
#Brexit
, right...? See you for
@bbcnews
at One.
2/2 this weekend I hope to celebrate properly, and finally open the fabulous bottle of champagne given to me by the equally fabulous
@AmroliwalaBBC
on my last day of radiotherapy in 2019.
#breastcancer
#lobular
. Onwards and upwards.
I’m very sad about
#MichaelMosley
. Just looking at my podcast downloads …so many editions of
#JustOneThing
to listen to, one of my favourite programmes on
@BBCRadio4
. A desperate time for his family - but a remarkable legacy.
Managed to avoid catching
#Covid_19
for 2 years. This week my luck ran out - tested positive just a few days before my first ever
#10K
. Am so so upset about the timing. Big apologies to everyone kind enough to sponsor me.. I shall find another race when I’m better
@ParkinsonsUK
A cracking start to a week off - what a treat to run through
@kewgardens
. Just so lovely. Plus knocked 5mins off my 10K time from last year. The horribly early alarm call was harder than the running!
@RichmondRunFest
Another
#cancer
milestone today.... my first Outside Broadcast since my treatment. At least
@JasonCritic
is there to hold my hand - as it were! Join us on the
#EEBaftas
red carpet 1715
@bbcnews
@BBCWorld
to talk film, diversity and fashion.
Just been stuck in a lift at
#BroadcastingHouse
. Only about 5 mins in the end, but with only 20 mins to
#BBCNewsTen
! As I emerged a nice man trying to help said “oh it’s good it started moving again, sometimes people are stuck a really long time”
@bbcnews
It’s back to work day. Been on a break to mark our 10th civil partnership anniversary… here’s a clue to which fabulous city we visited!
@bbcnews
@ABBAVoyage
#Abba
Ouch. A massive thank you to so many people who were so kind to me at
@parkrunUK
this morning. Took a nasty tumble at 3.5k. Was so shocked I just couldn’t stop crying! Am very sore & very embarrassed. Thanks to excellent RD Alex for his calm first aid. Still
#loveparkrun
Listening to
@JuliaBradbury
on
@BBCWomansHour
, sending love & strength. I’m two and a half yrs clear of
#lobular
#breastcancer
. This morning I’ve done an hour of weights, now I’m off to walk my dog in the sun. Life really can be good, even after a mastectomy and radiotherapy. x
I just turned 50 and until a couple of weeks ago had never properly watched a football match. Football just didn’t feel welcoming. Tonight I’m cheering on
@Lionesses
- the
#WomensWorldCup2019
has been a revelation. Go
#Lionessess
!
#ENGvUSA
Signing off Twitter for a few days now... it’s been a particularly bleak week to be working in news... which is saying something after the year we’ve all lived through. Look after yourselves.
#SarahEverard
#coronavirus
#lockdown
Morning. Just a note to say I’m not ignoring the numerous messages I’ve received about the
#BBC
#Pride
story. I’m trying to get to the bottom of what’s true and what’s not. Thanks to everyone who’s got in touch.
#LGBTQ
Just seen there's been a flurry of people on Twitter congratulating me on my engagement. All v kind but our civil partnership was 7 years ago! Though it is true that
@Telegraph
at the time referred to my beloved as a "woman cameraman". Now, where's that facepalm emoji.?....
I can assure you that the donation to
@ParkinsonsUK
was what got me through this! We lost my Dad 13 years ago this week, after more than 10 yrs living with PD. He really enjoyed
#Mastermind
. And his general knowledge was better than mine!
@MastermindQuiz
@bbcone
Tonight
@JaneHillNews
is in the famous black chair as she appears on Celebrity
#Mastermind
- all in aid of Parkinson's UK 💙
You can see how Jane gets on answering her specialist questions about the music of ABBA on
@BBCOne
at 7pm
Thank you for kind comments about our
#Windsor
coverage today. I share my birthday with
#DukeofEdinburgh
and had rather hoped to be there instead in June for a marking of his centenary.
Another marker on the road to recovery... my first
#BBCNewsTen
since my return to work.
@bbcnews
. I might even be able to squeeze in a reference to Andy Murray....
For the first time in years I’m not working
#Christmas
Day. This should be brilliant (yay, no hair straightening! Fizz!) But as with so many families,
#covid
has ruined plans and left loved ones on their own when they shouldn’t be. Sending love to everyone struggling this
#Xmas
Happy Christmas, in particular to anyone working today. For only the third time in 30 yrs I’m off work for both Xmas & New Year! - so signing off from all screens & tech now. See you in 2023.
#HappyChristmas
all.
This story took me by surprise. Honestly, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry! (I prefer to aim for the former.... otherwise the news is all a bit much isn’t it)
#coronavirus
@bbcnews
Best news item of the week - Peruvian penguins from a Kansas City Zoo visiting an art gallery because they miss social interaction.
@JaneHillNews
saying what we are all thinking. Brilliant 👏👏
#bbcnews
#coronavirus
Thinking of my Dad, who died 12 years ago today. He enjoyed many sports - perhaps he’s watching
#ArgentinaVsFrance
#WorldCup
somewhere. A big Christmas shout out to everyone living with
#Parkinsons
and those who help care for them.
@ParkinsonsUK
I’m very lucky to work with such thoughtful people - our crew presented me with this after last night’s
#BBCNewsTen
, complete with sparklers (to warm me up?!) Thanks to a top team.
@bbcnews
#YourVoiceYourVote
Lunch w/ Mum for her bday. 1st time I’ve seen her for 9 months. (Literally-she won’t be persuaded to do FaceTime or Zoom). Am all in. Emotionally drained. Realise so many families have gone through much worse. But it’s a reminder of the difficulties of the last year
#coronavirus
Wife is from
#Leicester
. Just texted her to say it appears from Twitter that something brilliant has happened
#leicestercity
.
#FACupFinal
I can only apologise for my ignorance. I’ll come into my own later in the month when it’s
#Eurovision2021
Six hours on air today - a privilege to cover this poignant and momentous day. An intake of breath as we saw the Queen’s coffin depart Balmoral.
@bbcnews
@bbcone
So on this morning’s
#ParkRun
I was overtaken by several Santas, a turkey and a Christmas cracker! What a brilliant way to start
#ChristmasDay
. Thanks to all the volunteers; (who today included my wife and my dog)
#HappyChristmas
to all.
@parkrunUK
Just back from a run. 4 times I had to jump over a pile of dog poo on the pavement. I rarely rant on Twitter, but how can people be so selfish? It’s a health hazard. Children, or someone who’s blind could have stepped right in it. Gives all us responsible
#dog
owners a bad name.
I hadn’t anticipated that the live feed of the
#lyinginstate
would be so moving. Just observing people’s reactions. A blind man standing with his guide dog… that broke me.
@BBCiPlayer
My wife is SO excited about seeing
#NoTimeToDie
this weekend. Have warned her
@KermodeMovie
told me it’s really No Time To Pee - miss a jot of its 2hrs43mins and you’ll miss a bit of plot and never catch up. Yikes. No martinis for us.
What’s really lovely about the
#snow
... is that on our
#dog
walk I was surrounded by something I realise we’ve not heard for so long: laughter. So many families out with children, and SO many dogs! A delight.
#coronavirus
#lockdown
Text pings from hairdressers, reminding me the salon is shut. As will be blindingly obvious at 1pm.
@bbcnews
#lockdown
#coronavirus
Thanks for rubbing it in.
Long phone call with Mum, who really liked
#DukeofEdinburgh
and wanted to know all about my day in
#Windsor
yesterday. She asked when our make up artists would be allowed to return to work. Fair point well made.
@bbcnews
#coronavirus
One other thought about that message. If, a matter of weeks after my mastectomy, I’d had to have a make up artist & hairdresser come to my house, work their magic, because I had to record a video? Let’s just say I’d have considered that suboptimal.
#cancer
#PrincessofWales
Ah thank you for many kind wishes. What I will say about finally being hit by
#Covid_19
- pls make sure you stockpile paracetamol in case it comes to you. I wouldn’t have got through this week without it. No
#TheFilmReview
for me today, hope to be back at work next wk.
@bbcnews
Thanks for all your kind messages about
#BBCNewsOne
. It really has been a fantastic fast paced programme to work on, with a great team.
(And after considerable confusion, to reiterate I’m sticking with
#BBCNewsSix
&
#BBCNewsTen
, plus our weekend bulletins! See you next week!)
"It has been an absolute pleasure and a privilege," says
@JaneHillNews
at the end of the last ever London-based
@BBCNews
at One. Among the best teams in the biz. Broadcasting from Salford from Monday.
I've been extremely tired all day post-vaccine... but I'm willing myself to stay awake until 9pm for
#LineOfDuty
. Of course whether I'll be sufficiently alert to follow the plot is another question...
@jed_mercurio
Not going to lie… feeling slightly sorry for myself that I’m missing a friend’s 50th tonight, as I sit on the sofa nursing my bloodied bandaged knees! Hope I’ll be back to running fairly soon. Hope you’re having a better weekend!
#running
#injury
All I can think about is our friends who are later today having to take their darling dog to the vet for the final time. We spent time with her last night and gave her lots of cuddles and treats. I am broken.
#dogs
On the train home meanwhile, I heard a number of people - men and women - saying how brilliant today’s
#GrandNational
result is. What a great day for women in sport.
#RachaelBlackmore
This is a win in so many ways. How many women & girls have been inspired by this team?…There was nothing like this when I was growing up. Great role models
#Lionesses
#WorldCup
@Lionesses
Lovely coverage in the build up to the match - but I’m struggling with the fact that this is the last Women’s final we’ll see fronted by the legendary
#SueBarker
….
#Wimbledon
#bbctennis
@bbcone
Meanwhile, in flippant
#coronavirus
news, my hairdresser was one of the many businesses to close tonight. Watch out for spectacular grey roots coming to a TV near you in a matter of weeks.