Sam Smith

Sam Smith

Hi - it's great to be back with a new series to brighten and enlighten your Monday evenings!

We've got a cracking line up of features and hard-hitting investigations all about this wonderful place - the South West.

Whether you're lucky enough to live in the region, or just wish you did, we've got something of interest for everyone.

Three years on...

This is my third year with the programme - and my eleventh of living in the region.

Sam takes a closer look at the South West

Work brought me here - as a cub reporter on the nightly news programme Spotlight - but the beauty of the region has kept me here.

I live in Plymouth with my partner Peter and we love running the coastline (only 587 miles of the coast path to go!), walking the moors and lazing about on the Hoe.

It's also been a fabulous place to bring up our two boys - even if I'm barely an honorary local, they're Westcountry lads to the core.

Book worm

I know 'biogs' always say this - but my big passion is reading. I'm a sucker for Jane Austen and other chick-lit, but my really big thing is magazines.

I adore celebrity gossip magazines, food and decorating magazines ( I don't cook or decorate - I just like reading about it), men's magazines, all of the women's titles and even my kids computer games mags when I'm desperate.

My other hobby - although some would say it's a form of torture - is the BBC South West Women's Football Team (we must get a snappier name).

So far our results aren't too impressive so it will be my finest hour if we ever win a match. Or draw one. Or score.

OK, we may not cause much of a stir on the pitch, but watch out for our charity Christmas calendar!

A new series

Working on Inside Out has taught me loads about the south west.

From the archaeology of Cornwall to the underwater marvels of North Devon's Lundy Island, it's all been on Inside Out.

Sam's got the new series of Inside Out all wrapped up!

But visiting the farthest flung corners of our patch has shown me the tougher side of life here - the lack of affordable homes, the problems of anti-social behaviour by young people and the pressure of the modern world on some of our most beautiful environments.

I'm convinced this series is our best yet. All your favourite presenters are back including Russell Labey, David Stafford and Chris Packham, sharing their love and knowledge of the south west.

And in case you are wondering - brown is the new blonde!

See you Monday night - don't miss it.