July 4th 2024.
Beth Rigby, the political editor for Sky News, recently compared covering the General Election to riding a rollercoaster. After working tirelessly for over 24 hours without sleep, she admits that all she will want is a gin and tonic to relax. In an interview with The Agency, the 48-year-old broadcaster revealed that she avoids drinking during election coverage to remain clear-headed. She sees it as a marathon rather than a sprint.
Covering a major event like the General Election for a TV network can be grueling, but for Beth, it all starts with a morning run and a working breakfast with her boss. She then heads to a hotel near Sky News HQ to go over her notes and research before getting ready for the live coverage at 7pm. Alongside chief presenter Kay Burley, Beth will be joined by Baroness Ruth Davidson and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
The intense filming continues for ten hours until 7am the next morning. After a quick shower and change of outfit, Beth will head to Westminster. From there, she will go to Downing Street to cover the results and any potential new Prime Minister or leadership changes. But the day is far from over for Beth. She will likely record her podcast, Electoral Dysfunction, with Baroness Ruth and Jess Phillips, and then write an analysis of the events that have unfolded.
With such a demanding schedule, one may wonder how Beth manages to keep going without collapsing from exhaustion. Her answer? Adrenaline. She sees covering the General Election as being part of the first draft of history, and that thought keeps her going. However, she does admit that the following day, she feels like a zombie and is usually not in a fit state to work. But soon after, she's back at it, reporting on Parliament's return and a NATO trip to Washington before finally taking a well-deserved break at the end of July.
Beth's busy schedule and the unpredictability of her job can be challenging, but she wouldn't have it any other way. She studied social and political science at Cambridge and gained a master's degree in economic development studies at the University of London before starting her career as a newspaper journalist for The Financial Times and The Times. In 2016, she joined Sky News and became the network's political editor in 2019.
Despite her years of experience, Beth admits that she still gets nervous before interviews and going live on air. She sees it as a good thing because it means she has to earn it every day. The same goes for General Election night. While she feels the pressure to deliver the exit poll results accurately, once she's in the flow of the story, she relaxes and enjoys it.
Does she have any fears about the big night? Beth reveals that her biggest fear is having a brain freeze in the studio. However, she trusts in her preparation and hard work to avoid any mistakes. As she says, there's no secret to success, just do the work and get the results.
The General Election coverage on Sky News will start at 9pm on Thursday 4th July and continue throughout Friday. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, you can get in touch with The Agency entertainment team by email, phone, or by visiting their Submit Stuff page. They are always looking for new and exciting stories to share.
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