This weekend I had a Marty McFly moment and went back to the past. Sadly I didn’t use the DeLorean to get there, just my everyday car, but I still had an exciting, at times daunting, and enjoyable experience.
The adventure started when my former employer, ITV Wales, asked me to work a weekend shift. I jumped at the chance, but when I woke up on Saturday morning the butterflies in my stomach made me wonder whether I’d made the right decision – would I remember how to edit, could I still roll autocue, and what if my doubts showed on screen?
Thankfully, when I arrived at the studio I was greeted by familiar, friendly faces and I immediately began to feel at ease.
After borrowing a login (mine had expired) I finally got to work, calling contacts, assembling the run order and updating the website.
Then for the moment of truth, the long walk along the corridors to make-up before my first live presenting shift in more than 3 months. I was a mix of emotions, but determined to do a good job.
10, 9, 8, 7 – the on air countdown unfolded in my ear – 6, 5, 4, 3 – no time for nerves now – 2, 1, cue – I was on.
By the time the bulletin was over I felt fully in my stride, and when I started my shift on Sunday I felt like I’d never been away! It was great to be back at the place where I started my TV career and even better to know that I still have so many great colleagues there.
It doesn’t mean I regret my decision to leave, it was without doubt the right time for me to move on to a freelance career, but it was great to spend a few days there, and I might even be back in the future!
Presenting in the ITV Wales Studio before I left to go freelance
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