However, he also spent three years with BBC TV reporting and presenting for Grandstand, Football Focus and Match of the Day.

In 1986 he worked as Sports Editor for BBC Radio Lancashire and then moved on to BBC Sport in London where he was sports reporter and presenter.  Among the many programmes that he covered while working for BBC  Radio in London were Radio 4s Today Programme, Sports on 5, BBC Radio 5-live, Sports Report and numerous outside broadcasts and events including Wimbledon tennis, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, World Cup Finals of the France game in 1998 and the Korea and Japan game in 2002, numerous Aintree Grand Nationals and Open Golf Championships together with various Ryder Cups.

The most unusual work that Ian thinks he has undertaken was 'New Zealand Goat Burying'.  I think we are probably inclinded to agree with him there !!