The life of a video journalist is nothing if not varied. During the last week an auction, new nightclub, ice skating and speedway have all fallen under our camera’s glare.
But possibly the most colourful request to come out of the editor’s office arrived today when I was dispatched to road-test a new toy on an unsuspecting Wolverhampton public.
Sesame Street character Elmo has been brought to life in a cuddly toy which stands up, sits down, rolls around on the ground and laughs itself daft.
He drew plenty of slightly bemused attention from passersby, but was a real hit with the kids.
In fact we nearly lost him to one little girl who had him in a wrestler’s hold just seconds after laying eyes on him.
The saying goes that you should never work with animals and children but the youngsters’ reaction today made our efforts worthwile.
And parents be warned - Elmo is sure to figure on Christmas lists everywhere this winter.
Today’s outing with Elmo served up a big slice of life’s lighter side but the big story at the Express & Star over the last day or so has been Martin Swain’s interview with football agent Colin Gordon.
I think everyone here knew Swainy had turned in one heck of an exclusive but I’m not sure anyone could have predicted the impact it would have.
The story was picked up by every national newspaper, with The Mirror and The Star using it as today’s front page splash.
It was also Five Live’s main story last night, with Swainy interviewed live on air.
In fact our story has received as much if not more coverage than last week’s Panorama.
Why? Because as well as representing England manager, the man making the claims is as credible a witness as you will find.
Unlike the motley crew who starred in Panorama, Gordon is as straight as a dye - a rare good apple in a barrel full of rotten fruit.
Dealing with Gordon is a very different experience to speaking with other agents.
During the summer, reporters are always on the look-out for the latest transfer stories, a hunt that inevitably brings us into contact with players’ representatives.
Pinning them down to a straight, honest answer is like to trying to throw a dart at a mosquito.
You can almost hear them dodging in and out of the shadows at the other end of the phone.
With Gordon though a straight question gets an equally straight answer.
Last season I called him up to ask about Chris Kirkland’s future at relegated Albion.
There was none of the bluff and bluster you normally get from agents unwilling to rule anything in or out.
Instead Gordon was totally up front, revealing Kirkland would not stay at a club playing in the Championship.
A couple of months later he proved true to his word as he helped negotiate the England keeper’s loan move to Wigan.
If all agents were like Gordon dealing with them would be an absolute joy.
Sadly I would rather talk to Elmo than most members of that profession.
Andy Toft is a video journalist at the Express & Star
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