Clive Myrie, famous journalist, newsreader and Mastermind host, has spoken to The Big Issue.
The foreign correspondent and gameshow host, opened up to The Big Issue about his experiences reporting in war zones: “I’ve been in some dangerous situations but I don’t think I ever thought about the danger. I just thought, I want to be in a war-zone and experience and tell the story of conflict in a particular place. It’s interesting talking to soldiers, and to those who do go into battle. You never ever think, really consciously, that you’re going to be the one who gets shot or blown up or killed. Something has to present itself to you that makes it clear that you could be the one.”
He continued: “So for instance, when I was embedded with the Royal Marines going into Iraq in 2003, we all had to write goodbye letters to our families, a sort of last will and testament I suppose. Just in case we didn’t come back. That process, saying goodbye in letter form, does remind you that you might not get back.”
Clive explained: “There is an adrenaline rush in being a journalist on the frontline, something that makes you want to go back for more. Although for me I don’t think it’s the sense that I’m potentially in danger. It’s just about telling stories from incredible places. And usually, you see the very best of human nature and the very worst of human nature in a conflict situation. Those are the best, most fascinating moments, when you’re going to get the most interesting human stories.”
The journalist admitted his career is only a secondary achievement compared to falling in love: “One of the best things I’ve ever done is marrying Catherine. I think that would be top of the list. She is way more sensible, smart and cultured and interesting that I could ever hope to be. And I’m very, very proud to be her husband.”
Clive opened up about his most memorable moment as a journalist: “If I could travel back to any moment in my life – I do remember being in Vietnam in 2003, in a little boat being paddled up a river with my cameraman following me. We were going to a remote part of some jungle area where the militia were clearing poppy fields or something. There were all these helicopters buzzing overhead and it was hot and sweaty. And I distinctly remember thinking, this is exactly what I got into journalism for. I’m in some amazing place, completely different from Bolton, somewhere Alan Whicker or Trevor McDonald would have been, telling the world interesting stories from far away. It wasn’t Paris or the White House.”
