Catherine Burns

Reporter

Where are you from?
Leicester.

What were you doing before Radio 1?
Trying to persuade them to let me work at Radio 1.

Best part of the job?
Covering the end of the Tour de France, and not quite believing I was getting paid to wander round Paris.

Worst on air moment?
Having a group of drunken British tourists threatening to beat me up when I was on a story in Greece. Luckily I was rescued by a bloke wearing a toga and a cowboy hat. Or anything I did in my first month at Newsbeat, I was terrified, and sounded like I was going to burst into tears.

Advice to anyone who wants to get started in journalism:
All the usual stuff - get loads of work experience, be really keen, maybe do a postgrad course. And start buying lottery tickets- it won’t make you rich.

Three words that describe you:
Future lottery winner.

Where would you like to be in 10 years' time?
Having it all - a lovely husband and kids, a great job and a luxury second home in the South of France. Should be easy, right?

Who would you most like to interview?
 I'd love to meet Prince.

My top three albums ever are:
Prince - either Diamonds and Pearls or the squiggly symbol one.
Damien Rice - O
Dolly Parton - Greatest Hits - terrible I know, but it is guaranteed to make me giggle.

Who's your favourite news reporter?
Ruth Liptrot, as seen on Channel Five. She's really creative and talented. But most importantly, she's my lovely housemate.

How do you spend your time off?
Ideally, lounging on exotic beaches with my friends. Realistically, hanging round bars with my friends. And I've got to admit to a slightly scary love of karaoke.

If wasn't a news reporter I'd be…
The proud owner of a karaoke bar. Or a property millionaire.