In episode 369 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with David Harper.
David is a freelance journalist, presenter, producer and reporter.
David is currently host of LBC News’ Saturday Breakfast Show, and is a regular presenter of the BBC’s World Business Report.
Growing up in the small North Wales village of Penyfordd, David left his state comprehensive at 16 years old with very little qualifications and no idea what he wanted to do with his life.
In his words, he fell into community radio, when he got a job at a radio station in South Flintshire.
In 2005, he then left local radio and landed a job at BBC Cymru Wales based in Cardiff, where he worked as a producer, presenter and reporter for over 14 years.
In 2019 he went freelance and has gone onto host a range of roles at broadcast organisations including ITN, Global and BBC News.
We chart this journey, how he developed the skills to be a newsreader and television host and making the transition from local radio to national radio.
For industry issues, we discuss social mobility, and the decline in state-school journalists from working-class backgrounds in the industry.
For David’s mental health journey, we discuss his diagnosis of Bipolar, which he obtained around 12/13 years ago.
In 2023 he spoke publicly about his mental health for the first time and from there, he has become an advocate for greater awareness of the condition.
He was also diagnosed with ADHD in 2025 and we discuss this latest development, how he feels now having this dual diagnosis and moving forward with his life alongside them.
As always, #itsokaytovent
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