The annoying Kate Garraway

[curlyperm11]

I just wish this God-awful woman would lose the BIRO!!! Day after day she clings on to the damn thing for whatever reason I do not know! Why?

[sanden]

I cannot watch it any more - I did used to like her but prefer Sky news now.
Talking of the biro though, anyone else sick of Jennie on Emmerdale constantly holding the pencil with fluffy bit on the end! Silly how some things really irritate. Stupid I know!!

[curlyperm11]

Sanden......ha! Yeah Jenni with the pencil! True! I emailed GMTV this morning about it AND they replied hehe.

[andy-hughes]

It's a comfort mechanism.

Although you see a calm collected presenter, what is going on is that they are hearing what is called 'gallery sound' through an ear-piece. Because live TV is so fast moving, there is no time to swtich individual ear-pieces on and off, so everyone on the studio floor hears everyone else's instructions, as well as their own.

That means that the presenter is hearing instructions to maybe a dozen people, cameramen, floor-walkers, other presenters, etc., as well as instructions to them personally. So, the presenter has to learn not only to 'tune out' instructions which are not for them, but to make sure they hear and respond when an instruction is actually for them. They do this while simultaniously talking to camera, reading an autocue, and timing links to fit in with filmed inserts - oh, and appearing totally natural of course!

This takes massive concentration, and in order to stop subconcious hand movements, tapping fingers, playing with rings etc., presenters hold onto a biro, or a paper, which keeps their hands still.

It may be an irritation, but that is the reason for it.

[tillyh345]

I find her very irritating too, have u also noticed how she bites her lip aaaarrrggghhh.....whens she leaving???

[curlyperm11]

Don't know? She'll probably have to make that announcement herself and inform us about whose taking her place! Who I BELIEVE is the insufferable Lorraine (did I mention my accident falling from a horse I couldn't ride) Kelly, alongside Aled Jones.......who I have no feelings about whatsoever!

Good reply Andy, you're probably right! Good job the other presenters on this/and other shows can handle the so called pressure, otherwise there would be a distinct shortage of biro's!