Thanks to @pressgazette.co.uk and the British Journalism Awards judges for shortlisting me for the Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award, and congratulations to everyone who made the lists

Delighted to be shortlisted for best news story in the @freelancingfor.bsky.social Freelance Journalism Awards 2025, for a story about the treatment of workers on Strictly Come Dancing, commissioned when I was freelancing for @theobserveruk.bsky.social last year. Congrats to all on the shortlist!

Thanks to @joeyshea.bsky.social from Human Rights Watch

As @taskmaster.tv gets ready to celebrate its 20th series, 10 years on TV, and 15 years since the original live Fringe show, I went behind the scenes to find the secrets of its success. Read all about it in the @theobserveruk.bsky.social

observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

Little work update: on 7 May I'll be joining the Observer team for six months as a full-time reporter.

Get in touch with tips on anything you think I should be digging into. I'll be covering my usual arts and culture patch, but also other topics.

“If you’re starved of gossip, you haven’t got the day-to-day information that keeps people together”
In today’s Observer: from TV dramas to the podcasts that delve into industry secrets and real-life stories, why gossip is endlessly compelling.

In the paper today

Interesting discussion about reviews and the role of criticism in comedy earlier at Leicester Comedy Festival with @dmujournalism.bsky.social, Sikisa and @beyondthejoke.bsky.social

His show Gimme (One With Everything) was one of the most exciting things I saw last year - in today’s Guardian Saturday Mag, I interviewed comedian Rob Copland about his high-energy brand of standup

Sparing a thought for this flooring business I just walked past

In today’s Observer

New: Summerhall has just issued a statement following today’s hearing RE its dispute with HMRC. Looks like bad news for the artists still waiting to be paid.

Finally saw Or What’s Left of Us by Sh!t Theatre last night - a deeply moving, vulnerable, beautiful show that will stay with me for a long time. Really recommend reading Brian Logan’s write-up from earlier in the year amp.theguardian.com/stage/articl...

Hello everyone - especially comedy/theatre/TV/film people - always keen to hear about exciting new projects and issues in the industry. DMs and emails open!