Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

I'm still not sure how a former industrial chemicals salesman from Merseyside, or for that matter a second hand car salesman ( I wasn't very good at either ), became a sports news reporter for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.

Mine wasn't a conventional route into broadcast journalism. It was some career change and I probably got lucky, but I'm glad I did.

My first job was at a tiny radio station in Manchester, after lots of mistakes, and laughs, I headed south. I eventually arrived at the World Service via Guildford and Croydon.

And now I'm off to China for the most politicised Olympics in recent history.

Beijing will be the third time I have covered an Olympic Games. OK we like to moan about the long hours and unreasonable requests from our editors, but it still has to be the best gig in the world.

and were terrific - they conjure up wonderful memories, the sport certainly but also the festive atmosphere in those cities. So bring on Beijing, let's hope it's as enjoyable as the last two.