I have never been attracted to any kind of violence.

War zones are dangerous, protests can be violent, also, natural disasters are difficult to cover, so there are going to be risks.

I also read modern novels - I have just had to read 60 as I am one of the judges for the Orange Fiction Prize.

I sailed through my childhood with a complete lack of any drama.

Up until about 12 years ago we never, ever, wore flak jacket or helmets but now the nastiness has got worse.

It wasn't glamorous in my day. In the regions, reporters were seen as such low life that they didn't merit their name in the Radio Times. Now people are interested in being famous. I never gave it a thought.

Now children as young as nine carry AK47s which can kill 30 people in seconds.