Reporter and presenter Bob Whittaker

Jan 9 2010 By Karen Wilson

BOB Whittaker has more than 30 years’ experience in TV but is perhaps best known in the North East for his stint as a Tyne Tees reporter and presenter from 1991 to 1996.

Over the years he has worked for the BBC, Sky, ITN and Carlton, amongst others – winning two Royal Television Society awards along the way. Highlights of his career include working at Granada TV during the golden days of Richard & Judy and being a reporter on the BBC news magazine show 60 Minutes He also spawned a genre by creating the first ever car-boot sale programme.

In 2004 Bob set up Orion TV with his wife Marrisse, a former make-up artist on Byker Grove and a scriptwriter who has written for Doctors, Byker Grove and Hollyoaks.

Since then Orion TV has produced over 80 programmes for major UK and international broadcasters such as ITV and Discovery.

Bob’s latest series is called A Brush with Britain for Discovery Real Time and Discovery Travel and Living. Presented by Northumberland artist Charles Evans, it features picturesque and historic locations throughout the UK as well as painting tips.

Bob lives in Alnmouth and has three sons in their thirties from a previous marriage.

How long have you lived in Alnmouth?

Almost four years.

What’s your dream home?

I’m greedy and would like two. The one I’m in now and a mews house smack in the middle of Soho so I can still try to live the life of a cool teenager.

How do you get around?

I use the train a lot to go back and forth to London. Sadly, the decision- making power in TV is still in the capital.

What is your favourite part of the North East?

Northumberland. I love being by the sea. I think it’s something in my genes. But I have to say I’m also impressed with the way Morpeth is taking off.

What is your favourite building in the region?

The wonderful and mysterious priory at Hulne Park in Alnwick which I discovered was built by Northumberland Crusaders returning from the Holy Land 800 years ago.

What is the best holiday you’ve ever had?

A cruise along the Eastern Med a couple of years back taking in Istanbul, Greece and Egypt where we visited the Pyramids. Absolutely awesome and I was happily surprised that the rest of the cruisers weren’t doddery old prunes which seems to be the image of people who like to take their holidays on luxury ships.

What’s the favourite thing in your home?

My king-sized bed.

If you could have one luxury what would it be?

A queen-sized woman.

What are you working on at the moment?

Finishing off a TV series on history and art for Discovery featuring Acklington artist Charles Evans. We are also producing a number of online videos for councils and companies here in the region. We are discovering that organisations are now seeing the huge marketing potential of having video on their websites rather than just boring text.

Who or what is the love of your life?

Marrisse, the highly talented TV scriptwriter who insists she’s incredibly lucky to be married to me though frankly I’d question her judgment on this one.

Where’s your favourite place in the North East?

Alnmouth beach when the sun rises above Coquet Island soaking the whole village in sumptuous light.

What’s your favourite shop?

Cabosse in Warkworth, Northumberland. Delectable pastries and cakes handmade by Louise Frederique.

What’s your favourite restaurant?

The Wolseley in London. Great food and always a celebrity or two to spot. I do like The Alnwick Garden Tree House restaurant though sadly many other regional eateries I’ve tried still lag behind in service and quality of food.

Favourite pub?

I love both The Sun and The Red Lion in Alnmouth. I’d be barred from the one I didn’t mention.

Favourite meal?

I’m a curry and roast beef and Yorkshire pud fan in winter and pasta and salad man in summer.

Are you any good at cooking?

I remember when I was out of work for a bit I made the meals as Marrisse was working on some Catherine Cookson TV programmes at the time. I made her my special curry with banana for days on end. She hasn’t allowed me in the kitchen much since, though she is forced to admit my boiled eggs and soldiers are legendary.

What’s the last play or film you saw?

The Michael Jackson tribute film This Is It. I was staggered by how good he looked and how great he sounded.

What book are you reading at the moment?

The actor Tony Curtis’s book on his experiences making the funniest ever film, Some Like It Hot, with Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon.

What are you listening to on your iPod/CD player?

I’ve re-discovered Fleetwood Mac and Blur who I’m delighted to say are back together. I know the band’s bassist Alex James quite well and I was developing some television ideas with him. But his first love is the band.

What’s your favourite TV programme?

The American series, The Sopranos. Sadly no longer could shows like this be made in Britain. There aren’t the budgets anymore to lavish on one series.

What are you proudest of?

Managing to drag myself out of the coal mines as a teenager and eventually making it into telly. Though I have to say I have never experienced such camaraderie as there was among my mining colleagues.

Do you have any wisdom to share?

Don’t give up ... ever.

When and where were you happiest?

When I was at Tyne Tees I made a documentary in the Falkland Islands about North East folk who’d made new lives there. I was a guest of HMS Newcastle and remember one day being helicoptered to a totally deserted small island. I just stood there on the bleached white sand and thought to myself “no one has ever been stood on this spot in the whole of human history”. It was the most amazing feeling .

A Brush with Britain is on Discovery Real Time tonight at 8.30pm, focusing on Ford and Etal in Northumberland. Next week’s show on January 16 features Barnard Castle.

Other North East shows in the series include Alnwick, South Shields and Sunderland.