Rich was born on 4th April (year unknown). He grew up in Aberdeenshire.
Rich graduated from the department of film, media and journalism at University of Stirling in 2007.
Rich joined the BBC in 2008, having done an internship at an Indie which made programmes for the BBC. He worked on documentaries for BBC Radios 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Live, Asian Network and World Service.
The first programme he presented was a documentary about young male suicide in Scotland. It was called Dying to Talk and was broadcast as part of Morning Extra (BBC Radio Scotland, 2008), in a special slot.
He presented History Zone (BBC Radio Scotland, 2009) and Scottish Schools 2nd Level (BBC School Radio, 2009) and spent time freelancing at 5 Live and the World Service.
He was a producer of BBC Radio Scotland’s daily live arts programme, The Culture Café (2010 – 2011) and also The Book Café (2010), The Movie Café (2010) and The Comedy Café (2012).
He also reported for BBC 6 Music on festivals, concerts and music events in Scotland.
He reported and produced on BBC Radio 4’s magazine programme, The 4 o’Clock Show, covering literature, arts, food, history and science (2011 – 2014). It was presented by Mel Giedroyc.
He was a reporter on technology series Click (BBC World Service, 2013 – 2014) and presented Digital Planet (BBC World Service, 2013 – 2014) and Unexpected Elements (BBC World Service, 2014).
In June 2014, he was seconded by the BBC to NPR (National Public Radio, Washington DC, America). He worked as a producer/reporter covering Western Europe, alongside an American foreign correspondent.
In November 2016, he returned to the BBC working as a senior journalist/presenter hosting Topline, a daily global news briefing for US breakfast radio. He later presented The Newsroom on the BBC World Service.
In October 2019, he became a senior reporter and presenter for BBC World News and the BBC News channel.
He presented Witness History (BBC World Service, 2020).
His report into the death of a man from a mysterious new disease in China was the first TV news report by an international broadcaster on what became known as Coronavirus.
He made his BBC One network news debut, presenting the lunchtime programme, on Sunday 20th August 2023. He presented the lunchtime programme again in October 2023, November 2023 and March 2024.
In August 2023, Rich announced he was taking a break from TV to complete his Masters dissertation. In January 2024, he graduated with a Master’s degree from Kings College, London.
In his spare time, he enjoys being outdoors and travelling. He’s a qualified advanced off-road driver.
Correspondence
Paul R. Jackson corresponded with Rich in September 2024 about his career.
Was your first network BBC One appearance 20th August 2023 and what was it like to present the news on BBC One?
“I think you may be correct in that, but I’m not 100%. To be honest it was not hugely different as I’d already been presenting for three years by that point!
“The odd thing was appearing on Channel 4’s Gogglebox that weekend and people saying ‘Oh, he’s new!’ and there’s me thinking ‘Not that new!!'”
What stories have impacted you most during your career?
“That very first documentary I made about young male suicide. The openness and willingness of some of those contributors to speak to me. I’ll never forget their stories.”
What would you say are the most memorable news events that you have reported on and any anecdotes from being on location or in the studio?
“Covering any major breaking news story is huge and leaves a mark. Whether it’s the assassination of Shinzo Abe or covering the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“I think the big one has to be Covid. In my role as world news reporter at the time, I was on the story from the start, tracking it as it spread across China, to Thailand, to South Korea, to Japan – long before most journalists and certainly most major news programmes were interested in it.
“It wasn’t until cases appeared in Italy, the UK, the US that really started to make its way in to domestic running orders. By then I’d already been following it for several weeks.
“I was privileged to cover the death of The Queen, her funeral, and the subsequent Coronation of King Charles from right outside Buckingham Palace for our audiences around the world is something I’ll never forget either.”
I note your hobby is travelling – any particular favourite places you have visited for either work or pleasure?
“I loved my time in Myanmar. That was a spectacular place to visit.
“I love South East Asia generally and have travelled around quite a lot of Thailand.
“I also find the US a fascinating country, especially when you get out of those coastal bubbles.”
Do you get to put your off-road driving experience to much use?
“Not as much as I would like. That said, any trip back home or to go hiking or climbing once winter has set in always means those skills come into play a bit.”
Personal information
Clips of Rich on The TV Room
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Acknowledgements
PICTURED: Rich Preston. COPYRIGHT: BBC.
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