Josie d'Arby

Josie - going behind the stories in the West

Hi, I'm Josie and it is my huge pleasure and also something of an honour for me to join your Inside Out team.

As many of you know, Tessa Dunlop is taking a break from Inside Out West so I wish her all the best, and I promise to do my best to fill those ample shoes

It's great to be back in the West - I grew up just over the bridge in Newport, South Wales so I know the area well.

And between you and me, a very young Josie used to usher at the Bristol Hippodrome, so addicted was I to the phenomenon that is the musical!

Welcome to Inside Out West

I've been working in television since I was 14-years-old, as both a TV host/reporter and actress.

I have also guest presented on Radio 4.

Maybe some of you have seen me before in which case, 'hello again'.

I love all aspects of what I do, which is why I never felt the need to choose one path above another.

Fingers crossed, I seem to be getting away with it!

I believe Inside Out is an important part of the BBC schedule as it brings us all a little closer together.

It's also able to enlighten the viewer on the issues that affect us and bring to light some amazing things happening just on our doorstep which we otherwise might have missed.

It's basically made because we all care about our community and the people who live in it.

I hope you enjoy the new series and, as ever, feel free to email us on insideout@bbc.co.uk if you think there's something we're missing out on.

You can fiind me at josie@bbc.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you and, more importantly, I look forward to us getting to know each other better.

I can't wait to get stuck in and get out and about, and meet a few of you and find out what you think matters and what interests you.

Adventures in television

For my part, here are just a few titbits about me to get the ball rolling.

I've presented many programmes and hosted numerous events in a career that has spanned over 12 years.

Amongst the many programmes which I've worked on are 'Top of the Pops' and 'The Bigger Breakfast'.

During a break from TV presenting, I returned to my acting roots and was seen on our screens as PC Jodie Finn in the BBC One drama series 'Mersey Beat', a role I played for three seasons.

'Mersey Beat' successfully introduced me to an audience as an actor as well as a presenter.

In the series I couldn't have been cast further away from type - my character was aggressive and short tempered.

I loved her but I hope you'll find me the opposite!

Since then I've successfully balanced presenting and acting.

Last year I appeared in two hit comedy shows - BBC Two's science spoof 'Look Around You' and Channel 4's hit relationship satire 'Spoons'.

I've also worked on BBC One's 'Casualty' and enjoyed playing a lead role in a moving episode of 'Judge John Deed' for the BBC earlier this year.

Acting remains a passion and I recently appeared on stage in a national tour of 'The Vagina Monologues' which was really one of my favourite things.

Charity campaigner

I'm also an enthusaistic charity campaigner. Earlier this year, I helped to raise money for Sports Relief as part of the celebrity show jumping team on 'Only Fools on Horses'.

Josie - TV presenter, charity campaigner, and actor

I also work with the London based charity Surf, raising funds for survivors of the Rwandan Genocide, and I'm scheduled to visit Rwanda later this year.

I'm one of only six celebrity ambassadors for the British Red Cross and have visited projects in Africa and Cambodia, and actively raised funds and awareness.

Working with the Red Cross has been one of the highlights of my time so far - they remain impartial and provide help for the victims of all sorts of horrendous situations across the globe and I am so proud be a part of their team.

Life and loves

Away from work I enjoy writing songs and I've played live on the London circuit.

I also enjoy good literature and travel, and I'm keen on sport, cinema and live theatre.

One of my favourite things to do is Sunday markets, and I have often been known to peddle my wares on my own stall in central London.

I enjoy the interaction with passers by and every sale involves a long chat, so it's wonderfully social and you get a great sense of community.

I have many friends who are market traders and I just feel when I'm with them, I am with my people.

I love getting up at five and setting up my stall, hot coffee, fingerless gloves and a weekly catch up with the other characters who all have wonderful compelling stories to tell.

On a slow day, I might be found playing chess on the pavement with a passer by.

Occasionally I dip in and out of the world of celebrity but that's getting less and less as I realise my true interests lie elsewhere.

And as for my personal life, I'll let you know when I am ready to make any announcements about my marital status.

But for now it's best I just declare myself 'unavailable'!

OK so now you know me a little better!