Jacqui was born in Ilkley, Yorkshire and moved to East London at the age of seven.
She graduated from the University of Sussex with a Bachelor of Arts in American literature in 1985 and from the University of Westminster with a master’s degree in 1993.
Jacqui was a BBC TV presenter from the late-1980s until c. mid-1990s, including:
- Main news presenter on London Plus (1988 – 1989);
- Breakfast Time (1988 – 1989);
- BBC News – daytime summaries (c. July 1989);
- Hear-Say (BBC Two, 1990);
- Advice Shop (BBC One/Two, 1991);
- See for Yourself (BBC One, 1991);
- Newsroom South East (c. 1992 and c. 1994).
She worked on ITV’s breakfast service TV-am/GMTV (1992 – 1994) and then Sky News (c. 1995).
She also made cameo appearances as a newsreader on Desmonds (Channel 4) and Comics (1993).
Since 1996, she has been managing director of Crystal Business Training and since 1999, managing director of Crystal Business Coaching.
Since 2013, Jacqui has been a consultant and lecturer for INSEAD in Paris. She’s also the author of two business books on presentation skills.
She was awarded an MBE for services to the ethnic community and to mentoring in the 1999 New Year’s honours.
Correspondence
Paul R. Jackson corresponded with Jacqui in October 2022.
How did you get your first television job?
“I applied for the BBC Journalism Training Scheme and after the interview my details were passed on to BBC London Plus to join the team of presenters. To my surprise, I was chosen.”
Can you confirm dates for programmes you worked on? I see you presented some daytime BBC News summaries in July 1989 – did you do many of those?
“I am a little unsure of the dates myself! I think you are in the right ballpark though. The early bulletins in 1989 were a great opportunity. I had hoped to do more of them but there were plenty of others hoping to do the same.
“I always think things happen for a reason and other things came my way, including hosting Advice Shop in the early 1990s, a consumer programme on BBC Two and co-hosting Hear-Say – a chat show aimed at black Britons on BBC Two, again in the early 90s.”
Was it a hard decision to move away from TV and are you still recognised? Do people still mention your former TV career?
“I fell out of love with TV and it fell out of love with me. TV is all-consuming, so when it’s not dominating your life there’s definitely an empty space and a sense of loss. I also missed my colleagues too. It took me a while to regroup and develop resilience.
“It helped me to move on positively and with excitement. Taxi drivers tended to be the ones who recognised me the most – even many years after I finished broadcasting. It’s flattering to be remembered.
“Today, I am an expert in executive presence and some of the ideas come from my experience as a TV anchor. I often tell clients stories from my TV days. They love to hear them.
“My favourite anecdote from my time at Newsroom South East involves a global superstar! On a quiet news day, I wandered into the Top of the Pops studio where various acts were rehearsing.
“I was chatting away with a smartly dressed man standing next to me and started to introduce myself. He interrupted me and said ‘I know exactly who you are. You’re David Bowie’s favourite newsreader’.
“I had no idea I’d been talking to David Bowie’s manager! David Bowie was one of the acts getting ready to perform.
“Well, I trotted back to the newsroom, hyperventilating, and told my story to anyone who would listen. That story has become a Newsroom South East legend.
“We did a 25-year reunion for Newsroom South East, just before Covid. It was great to catch up with people I’d lost touch with. Most of the people I am in touch with are reporters or producers. I have not kept in touch with many presenters.”
Personal information
Clips of Jacqui on The TV Room
Jacqui may be featured in video/audio clips on our other websites. Click the links below to display a listing (a 404 error will appear if no clips are found):
Online presence
Acknowledgements
PICTURED: Jacqui Harper. COPYRIGHT: Jacqui Harper.
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