Two BBC journalists in the north were honoured at the BBC’s Ruby Awards last night.
Harry Gration from Look North and Dave Guest from North West Tonight were named during a ceremoney at the first of the regional awards to be held in seven years at the Radio Theatre.
Presenter Huw Edwards and BBC director of news James Harding handed out a total of 11 awards for journalism and crafts skills in regional television and an additional judges’ award for an outstanding contribution.
Gration won regional presenter of the year, and today told internal magazine Ariel that he was honoured to be part of an event that recognises talent at the BBC. A good presenter, he judged, was someone who people felt they could invite into their home.
“It’s not just the case of doing something to camera; I think there is a bit more to presenting a regional programme.”
The judges’ award for outstanding contribution went to Guest, a multitasking reporter, editor and producer who has been a ‘driving force’ at the BBC for 31 years.
He has covered stories including the Harold Shipman case in 2000 and lighter news items such as the opening of a local wax museum, which included a wax version of North West Tonight’s chief reporter holding a trademark microphone.
“I love every day of my job,’ Guest told the audience ‘and I hope it continues for many days to come.”