Sarah Yates
PortfolioA selection of my work from BBC Breakfast, BBC News at One, The Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, That’s Life, Manchester Evening News and Bury Times
Thunderbirds — 60 Years
To mark this anniversary, I produced a VT package and booked a sofa guest for BBC Breakfast.
I researched and secured an engaging filming location, settling on a Thunderbirds exhibition at a museum featuring original memorabilia and archive pieces. To increase production value and add a light, comedic tone, I liaised with the exhibition’s PR team to secure a Thunderbirds costume for our reporter to wear on location.
I wrote a detailed dope sheet for the reporter, including sourced contributors, filming location, and available visuals, and also sourced relevant archive footage from the series.
The final VT brought these elements together, including a scripted name-check delivered by reporter Graham Satchell - filmed in full costume - to maximise audience engagement.
Following the success of the VT, I booked Dee Anderson, daughter of Thunderbirds creators Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, as a sofa guest. Dee spoke about her childhood memories of growing up with the series and her late mother’s legacy as the inspiration for Lady Penelope, and brought along an original Lady Penelope puppet, adding further visual interest and entertainment value.
The piece was singled out in the editor’s debrief: “There have been howls of laughter all week from everyone who watched Graham Satchell’s Thunderbirds VT – have a watch if you want to see a reporter making the very most of a piece to camera – supreme creativity.”
Super Donors
During my attachment on the BBC Breakfast planning team, I produced a story highlighting the importance of blood and platelet donation.
The festive season is traditionally a challenging time for planning content, as many contributors are unavailable and news stories can be limited. I identified blood donation as a strong opportunity for that period - an area where demand remains high while donor numbers typically drop.
I contacted the NHS Blood and Transplant press team to source case studies and was introduced to the story of Jenson, a young boy diagnosed with a severe form of anaemia.
His treatment relies heavily on platelet donations and I discovered that only ten men in England currently donate all four components: blood, plasma, platelets and stem cells. These “super donors” have played a crucial role in Jenson’s recovery, giving the piece a powerful human focus.
I led the editorial development of the VT, coordinating logistics, shaping the narrative and briefing our reporter, Tim Muffett, who voiced the final piece.
To extend the story on the sofa, I secured a second family, four‑year‑old Isaac and his mum, Jasmin. Isaac, who has a genetic blood condition, receives transfusions every 12 weeks - affectionately calling them his “Hulk blood”. Their warmth and familiarity with the programme added emotional depth and continuity. I also arranged for Professor Dee Thiruchelvam, Chief Nursing Officer at NHS Blood and Transplant, to join the discussion, ensuring the segment combined personal storytelling with medical insight.
This piece showcased my ability to originate stories, secure contributors, manage sensitive subjects and create content during a challenging planning period.
To extend the story on the sofa, I secured a second family, four‑year‑old Isaac and his mum, Jasmin. Isaac, who has a genetic blood condition, receives transfusions every 12 weeks - affectionately calling them his “Hulk blood”. Their warmth and familiarity with the programme added emotional depth and continuity. I also arranged for Professor Dee Thiruchelvam, Chief Nursing Officer at NHS Blood and Transplant, to join the discussion, ensuring the segment combined personal storytelling with medical insight.
This piece showcased my ability to originate stories, secure contributors, manage sensitive subjects and create content during a challenging planning period.
Original Journalism
This story was picked up through word of mouth and as soon as I heard about Rhea’s baby’s arrival, I knew it was something the national papers and magazines would pick up.
It went national and I also pitched it and sold onto a magazine, which required me to write it up as more of a feature.
This was during my role in syndication, which meant I had to track where the story was published and record revenue from the sales.
80 years of Jodrell Bank
For the 80th anniversary of Jodrell Bank, I developed and produced a segment celebrating the site’s extraordinary scientific legacy.
Eight decades ago, Sir Bernard Lovell transformed a muddy Cheshire field into what would become one of the world’s most important radio astronomy centres, reshaping our understanding of the universe.
I coordinated with BBC Radio 4, who had commissioned Ivor Novello–winning composer Hannah Peel to create an original piece of music in honour of the milestone, performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. I worked this into the running order, ensuring the music became a central thread of the programme - including playing it out at the end of the show.
I supported the production of Jayne McCubbin’s filmed piece, which explored Jodrell Bank’s history and cultural impact and I secured Professor Tim O’Brien, the observatory’s Director, for the live sofa discussion. This combination of a strong VT, a high‑profile guest and a bespoke musical commission allowed us to mark the anniversary in a way that felt both celebratory and editorially distinctive.
This segment demonstrated my ability to collaborate across BBC departments, source archive footage, set up filming and source guests.
Skills
Writing
specialise in clear, compelling storytelling across news, features and broadcast scripts. My work is driven by strong editorial judgement, an instinct for human‑interest stories and the ability to turn complex subjects into accessible, engaging copy.
Graphics
By creating clear, visually engaging graphics I enhance storytelling and make complex information easy to understand. My focus is on strong visuals using design and graphics that support the narrative rather than distract from it.
Editing
I’m experienced in shaping stories in edit - tightening structure, refining tone and ensuring clarity and pace. Whether working with video, audio or written content, I’m confident in crafting polished, audience‑ready pieces.
Children In Care
This was a self-originated story that came from my ability to build and maintain long-term relationships with contributors.
I first met the case study after she appeared on BBC Breakfast. By staying in contact, I was later able to develop a new angle when a charity report was released, making recommendations to government on keeping children in care closer to home.
To ensure the report translated effectively to a broadcast audience, I created a human-interest package. I centred the piece around the original case study and sourced a second care leaver whose experience contrasted with hers.
Bringing these two voices together allowed the audience to better understand the real-world impact of policy decisions and the challenges faced by children in care.
The finished piece ran on BBC Breakfast and the News at One.
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In my syndication role, I pitched and consistently placed stories with magazines, writing 2,000-word feature articles for double-page spreads and tailoring copy to different editorial styles, briefs and deadlines.
