This community has become a lifeline once again - when we're so busy at work it's really easy to forget to check in on one another & also share useful updates.

During the pandemic I posted lots and made some great connections & now during this 'quiet' period / period of change (I am still on the fence as to which it actually is), the community is thriving once more.

I want to say thank you to every single new connection for accepting my invite; to every single person who has liked a post - it makes you feel so valued in such shitty times; and a special thanks to those who have put me forward for work or sent me a reassuring DM - you really have made more difference than you know.

We use this forum to 'talk shop' but we don't often actually 'know' each other, so I thought today I would tell you a little about me... warts and all.

I am Lou or Louise - happy with both!

I'm an Irish citizen, bred in London & now residing between Manchester and Ibiza.

I'm married to Ben - who works in the holy grail of scripted television... and is, without any bias, possibly the kindest person in TV & one to watch - he's smashing it out of the park.

I am very marmite - people at 'home' love me but I haven't always been flavour of the month up North... a shame really, as I am good person but my - allegedly - posh tones grate on people (local feedback not my own opinion).

I love my job and I'm great at it - I say that with pride not arrogance. I'm not great at many things. Personal banking = total fail. Keeping in touch with friends = useless. My job = brilliant. I do struggle at times with working relationships as I have worked across both production & editorial, scripted & unscripted and that's either seen as a huge bonus or a total off-put... I was blessed (cursed?) with a sharp mind and once told that the speed at which my brain makes sense of stuff makes it impossible for others to keep up. I have ever since tried my hardest to slow down & ensure everyone is happy and working together. I used to get picked on at school for reading too quickly... I mean you can't help how your brain works right? I wish I could. If so I would have a lot less battles with anxiety & insomnia for a start!

I love to travel - I did not see much of the world before adulthood. I've gone out of my way to travel ever since I received my first pay check - and I am thankful for so many amazing memories, experiences and friendships made. If I HAD to narrow it to my top 3 places visited thus far I would say India, Ibiza and North Wales.

I am a total foodie - I love to eat out and to cook. I am cooking a dahl right now as I type to get ahead for this evenings meal. I also have a penchant for wine - and wonder why I am always carrying a stone too many!

I broke into TV at the grand old age of 27 - with the support of a phenomenal women called Shu Richmond. More about that in a later post.

Characters are up - but thats a small hello from me to you, and a thank you to you all 🙏