ITV Central | Meet the team

Sameena Ali-Khan - Presenter

I was hoping to qualify as a doctor but instead I got a science degree, an MA in TV and more importantly some life experience.

I began presenting in commercial radio then moved to BBC Asian Network, BBC GMR, WM and London and 5 Live.

Then came the screen test. Since then I’ve worked as a reporter/presenter for BBC North West Today, Inside Out, Midlands Today and now ITV News Central.

I host many high profile events/award ceremonies and away from TV, I love my family, swimming, cooking, and shopping!

You can connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.

Steve Clamp - Presenter

I had a rather unusual introduction to television. While at college studying broadcast Journalism I was working part time in a supermarket.

One day, an actor who I had spoken to a few times told me his agent was looking for a new children's TV presenter - and would I like to meet her?!

Well obviously I did, a screen test followed... And I got the show! I continued working as a jobbing presenter in both children's shows and entertainment formats until I decided to follow my heart into the fast paced world of news and sport.

I spent time reporting for MUTV, before being offered the chance to present on Sky Sports News. I went on to front 1000 hours of live TV for them - what a learning curve.

Another couple of years passed before I joined the BBC in Birmingham, before moving to ITV News Central in 2005, initially as a News Presenter, and then taking on the role of Sports Correspondent in 2009, before taking on the role of main presenter, alongside Sameena Ali-Khan in 2022. I'll be honest, it's probably the best job in TV!

While at ITV I've also fronted the National News, reported from all over Europe and appeared on This Morning!

Away from news and sport my greatest joys come from being a father to three wonderful children and whatever time I have left is spent in the company of Bond... James Bond. 

I'm quite involved with the worldwide fandom of the movies and books of that famous Ian Fleming character. I also love listening to all kinds of music and am very active on social media - so why not say hello?!

You can connect with me via Twitter and Facebook.

Des Coleman - Weather Presenter

Looking back in order to write this makes me smile. It’s been a while since I left drama school in Guildford with my sights set on becoming an actor.

Twenty or so years later, here I am in the fab position as ITV Central’s weather presenter.

I’ve enjoyed a wonderfully varied career, spending four years on Eastenders, winning a couple of awards, and making films like Harry on the Boat and Submerged.

I made my West End debut at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane with Miss Saigon, becoming what’s called a ‘West End Wendy’ - it’s a cute term for actors appearing in a number of London productions. I played the lead in shows like Chicago, Porgy and Bess and Rent.

I then worked for the BBC as a presenter on The One Show, The Politics Show and the weather, and I still tour with the Rat Pack playing Sammy Davis Jr and host events across the country. You can watch a clip here!

Here at ITV we’ve got the best weather team in the business - and it's fun!

You can get to know me on Facebook.

Dan Salisbury-Jones - Sports Correspondent

From the Premier League to non-league, rugby to kabaddi, I want to cover whatever matters to our audience.

It's also important to me to hold those in power to account and I'd love to hear from you if you have a story to tell.

After many years on the road working as the sports producer at ITN, leading investigations like the British Gymnastics welfare scandal and covering major events like the Olympics and World Cup, it's great to be back in the Midlands.

I'm a 'Shropshire lad', born in Shrewsbury and brought up in Weston Rhyn, near Oswestry.

Lois Swinnerton - Early Presenter

Having grown up in Staffordshire, I am thrilled to be returning home to the Midlands to join the team at ITV Central.

After completing a Masters in Television Journalism in 2015, I started my journalism journey working as a reporter for the newly launched Birmingham TV station, Big Centre TV. Then a stint in print journalism meant a move to London where I worked as an online reporter for the Trinity Mirror/Reach plc publication, MyLondon. From there I moved back into TV, joining ITN Productions to present and produce children's news bulletins for Discovery Education.

I joined ITV regional news in 2020, working in the Calendar newsroom in Yorkshire, producing and presenting bulletins. Now back in my home county, I'll be setting my daily alarm clock nice and early to wake you up with the Good Morning Britain headlines from across the Midlands. 

Away from the newsroom my greatest passions are travelling and the great outdoors. So you can typically find me hiking or exploring new places!

You can connect with me on Twitter.

Hannah Bechelet - Presenter and reporter

After a short stint as GMB Presenter for ITV Central back in 2017, I'm delighted to be back in the Midlands again.

My career as a reporter started with a Masters in Broadcast Journalism. Then after freelancing for BBC radio my first full-time job took me to the Channel Islands back in 2012. I read the news at the commercial radio station in both Jersey and Guernsey for two years before moving to ITV Channel TV in 2014.

Since then I've worked behind the scenes as a producer, been on camera as a reporter and presented the 6 o'clock programme, and my job has involved everything from filming in Corfu, taking part in festivals in Alderney and grilling the island's top politicians.

Now I'm back in the Midlands, this time as a reporter and presenter. I'm loving covering such a vast aray of stories and being able to co-present the 6 o'clock programme with such experienced presenters.

Outside of work I enjoy baking (which my colleagues seem to enjoy the fruits of!), running and travelling. Being back on the mainland after seven years living on an island means I am also loving exploring anywhere I can reach in my car!

Connect with me on Twitter

Pablo Taylor - Presenter and reporter

As a proud Brummie, I’ve always had an interest in the stories that affect Birmingham and the wider Midlands region.I studied history at University in London before moving back to the Midlands and doing a post-grad diploma in broadcast journalism. After working in radio for a year, I managed to secure a place on the ITV traineeship in 2017 which gave me an unbelievable insight into the world of TV news. After 9 months of on-the-job coaching from industry experts, I landed a permanent job at ITV Central, where I’ve been ever since.Working here has been incredible for my development. I started as a production journalist but was soon able to start reporting on stories that I’d found myself, and in 2019 began presenting Central’s news bulletins on Good Morning Britain. Away from news, I’m a passionate Man United fan (I still get a lot of stick for not supporting a Midlands side!). I also love travelling and watching films, especially ones made by Tarantino and Scorsese.A lot of people also ask about my name…It’s Spanish, but unfortunately I don’t speak a word of the lingo!You can connect with me on Twitter.

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You can get in touch with us online in the following ways:

Email: centralnews@itv.com

Twitter: @itvcentral

Instagram: itvcentral

Facebook: facebook.com/ITVCentral

Postal address: ITV News Central, Gas Street, Birmingham, B1 2JT

News Desk - 012182 88020

Planning Desk - 012182 88048

Nottingham Office - 011565 47962

Weather pictures: centralweather@itv.com

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