Karen and Fly Appear on BBC Breakfast

Following a comfortable night in a 4 star hotel in Manchester, Karen, Allan and their 3 dogs were picked up at the crack of dawn in a luxury people carrier for their 5 minute journey into Media City in Salford, which is now home to the BBC Breakfast programme.

A Beautiful If Chilly Early Morning At BBC Media City, Manchester

Situated next door to the Manchester Ship Canal, the views from the BBC building were amazing.

Private Green Room , Usually Used By Jules Holland

We were greeted at reception where everyone made a fuss of the dogs before we were issued with security badges and taken through to our own private green room – normally used by Jules Holland.

Fly Happy With The Close Up Shots

During the course of the morning we were in and out of the building many times to film live for their ‘coming up later in the programme’ teasers on the piazza adjacent to the canal.  The weather was beautifully sunny but the wind was so cold!  Anyone who has ever done any filming will know how much standing around it involves – thank goodness for my Team GB jacket to keep me cosy.  Fly also had her Union Flag coat to help to keep out the elements.

Fly, Eager to Start

We filmed around 6 teasers before the final interview scheduled for the end of the programme.  Fly was superb, always ready, willing and able.  The camera and sound crew were very impressed with her work ethic!

Mike Bushell At His Desk in BBC Sport

Mike Bushell BBC Sports Presenter Mid-Interview

Since the move to Salford is a recent one for BBC Breakfast they are still ironing out one or two teething problems.  The biggest problem we had that morning was a failure in ‘talk back’ which allows the production team in the gallery to cue in the outside broadcast and direct operations.  One of the interviews was missed due to this in spite of us being in position, but that is live TV for you!

Mike Bushell Gets A Feel For The Sport

Mike was keen to ‘have a go’ with Fly and she did her best to train Mike…  I think they need to rehearse if they are going to dance together without Mike looking like Quasimodo or John Wayne!  

Mike Happy To Get Close To Fly

 Mike had a great attitude though and Fly was very happy with him.

Preparing For The Interview With  Mike Bushell

Roving Camera following Karen and Fly's Every Move

The Big Screen Outside The Studio

Meeting Fly's Fans In BBC Sport Department

Once we had finished for the morning Mike asked if we would come through to the Sports department as the staff in there had asked if it was possible to meet Fly.  They were thrilled to meet all 3 dogs, Kes and Erin taking their turn in the limelight too. 

Finally a car back to the hotel and we were dropped off in style.  Fly met some more fans in the reception who recognised her from the TV that morning.

Thank you to Mike, Olive and the rest of the team for making our time with you a very pleasant experience.