Reporting on 80th anniversary of D-Day was 'the greatest honour of my career' says GBN presenter Sophie Reaper

What does your typical day at GB News look like?

That actually depends! My job is North West Reporter, but recently I’ve been spending quite a bit of time in London presenting programmes and on bulletins.

When I’m up in my patch, I’m either live (quite often outside a court!) reporting on the days breaking news, or I’m out speaking to the people in the region and telling their stories. I love that part of my job, as I feel it’s so important to give a voice to those who have something important to say! I also love getting to meet new people everyday - so if you ever see me out and about, please feel free to come and say hello!

Then, the other half of the time, I’m in our GB News studio. I also love this part of my job as it means I get to see my amazing colleagues, and it’s definitely a lot warmer and drier than the North West can sometimes be!

When I’m on the bulletins, it’s incredibly hands-on: script-writing, picture-cutting, news gathering… and that’s all before you’re in front of the camera!

On the other hand, when presenting a programme, it’s more about the interviews and the discussions you have with your co-presenter. I absolutely love this side of my job, and some of the most fun I’ve ever had whilst at GB News has been sat behind the presenting desk.

Please can you tell us an interesting fact/story about yourself?

When I was 8, I started training as a Long Jumper at Bolton Harriers. I actually got quite good, and ended up competing for the county. By the time I was 13, I was determined I would compete at an Olympics one day.

In the end, I sustained an injury that meant I could no longer jump, and so I had to give up on that dream. But, this Summer, I got to go to the Paris Olympics to report on Team GB instead, and as I said at the time, that was a different kind of dream I got to fulfill.

What has been your best moment so far at GB News?

Hands-down, my answer has to be getting to report on the 80th anniversary of D-Day live from Normandy.

Not only was the greatest honour of my career, it was a privilege to be a part of such a historic event. We reported live from the beaches where so many men lost their lives that day 8 decades ago, and we got to take part in the commemorations and celebrations taking place.

Moreover, I do a lot of work with our veterans here in the UK, and so getting to see some of those that I’ve known for a long time was incredibly special. Whilst there, one veteran - Bernard Morgan - who I’ve worked with for a number of years, told me he ‘always looks for me on the TV’ and that I’m ‘his girl with the long hair.’ Those words truly touched my heart, and, if you’re a frequent GB News viewer, you’ll probably remember the live I did with Martin Daubney just after Bernard said that to me when I became emotional. People asked me afterwards if I was embarrassed to have cried on national TV, but my answer is - and always will be - that I’m not.

The whole thing was one of the most special things I’ve ever been a part of, and I will remember that week for the rest of my life.

What do you think are the biggest stories of the year so far?

I think on a national level in the UK, the General Election and the current political climate are fairly obvious answers. Then, of course, the wars in Ukraine and Israel, and how they impact us here are also pretty massive.

But as North West reporter, my job is to tell stories from my patch for a national audience. So, to me, some major stories have been:

• The Southport stabbings and the riots that followed nationwide.
• Brianna Ghey’s killers being named and sentenced for murder.
• Lucy Letby being re-tried for the attempted murder of Child K, and being found guilty. Not to mention two failed applications to appeal being heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, alongside the Inquiry currently ongoing in Liverpool.

Sophie says GB News 'Give people who can show drive and passion the opportunity to try something new.'

Sophie Reaper

What do you like about working at GB News/why did you join GB News?

When people ask me this question, I always give the same answer. Before I started working for GBN, I had applied to countless on-screen jobs at other outlets. But I had never even gotten an interview. That’s understandable, as this is one of those jobs that requires experience; but experience is the one thing you can’t seem to get.

But GB News was different. They gave me a chance when no one else would. When I did my first ever TV live report back in August of 2022 (on the Ryan Giggs trial, for anyone wondering), the team had no idea how I would perform, but they saw something in me and trusted me to deliver.

Because that’s what they do. They give people who can show drive and passion the opportunity to try something new. And that’s why I love being a part of the People’s Channel.

Why do you think GB News is important to the British media landscape?

One thing I’ve learned in the past few years is that people like to have options, and that you’ll never please everyone.

GB News offers an alternative to other, longer-standing forms of media in the UK, and whether you love it or hate it, it certainly brings something new to the field.

Moreover, if you look at our audience figures, it’s pretty obvious that we’re doing something that the people want!