Judi was born in Lincoln. She is a former Anglia Television announcer (1973 – 1976). She moved to BBC TV in Norwich, where she worked as an announcer and newsreader/reporter on Look East.
She also worked on the region’s BBC Radio 4 VHF For the Eastern Counties series. Judi gained network TV exposure as a relief newsreader on BBC One’s News after Noon (3rd – 28th October 1983). In 1984, she did some presenting work for BFBS on Focus.
In 1985, Judi moved north to take up a continuity announcer’s job at Tyne Tees Television, replacing Kathy Secker who was leaving the station. As part of her continuity duties, she also read regional news bulletins and presented two regular features – Lookaround (what’s on guide) and the Birthday Spot.
She left in 1991, prior to the company’s takeover by Yorkshire Television and joined the new (but now defunct) GNR (Great North Radio), as a presenter. She then took two years out, doing some freelance broadcasting, before deciding to move into fashion.
Following a move into retail fashion in 1997, as under-buyer in the French Salon at Fenwick in Newcastle, Judi was appointed promotions and events manager for the store, (under her married name Judi James).
She coordinated many in-store fashion events, and also externally, in association with Sunderland Foundation (the charity arm of Sunderland AFC) and Newcastle Racecourse. She also relied on her broadcasting expertise when compéring such presentations.
Judi retired in 2012, and she and her husband are enjoying their retirement cooking, cruising, travelling to far-flung corners of the world, and spending time with two young granddaughters.
Her younger sister is former Anglia Television announcer, Verity Lines.
Correspondence
Paul R. Jackson corresponded with Judi in May 2022, after her sister kindly put them in touch.
Who were your TV heroes?
“Sue Lawley and Bob Wellings from Nationwide. I was thrilled when Bob was briefly seconded to BBC East during Ian Masters’ move into BBC management and was temporarily my co-presenter on Look East.”
How did you get your first job in TV at Anglia?
“I was working in the contracts department when Anglia held auditions for a trainee continuity announcer, and I was thrilled to be chosen from a strong field of actresses – back in the day when employers were able to be gender-specific in their recruitment process! It was also at the time when continuity announcers were in-vision.”
What period did you work at BBC East and did you present Look East when Ian Masters wasn’t available?
“BBC East from 1976 until 1984. Apart from Ian Masters, Look East’s main presenter, Rodney Burke and Roger Maynard were also colleagues. I deputised for Ian in his absence and also presented the weekly viewers’ letter spot with Roger.
“I occasionally left the studio and ventured out and about to present reports from locations around the region. I also co-presented Weekend, a weekly Friday evening regional opt-out, with John Mountford and presented the BBC East Radio 4 regional news opt-outs during my tenure.”
There was a period when they brought in regional presenters to co-present News After Noon in London – did the regions get a memo asking for a list of those who might be interested and did you enjoy the network exposure?
“I realised other regional BBC presenters were appearing, and brazenly rang the News After Noon editor and offered my availability for the month of October 1983, without having first consulted my managing editor in Norwich! I acquitted myself well in the BBC News hot-seat (co-presenting with Richard Whitmore), but it was extremely nerve-wracking!”
Who were your announcer colleagues at Tyne Tees TV?
“Colleagues included: Neville Wanless, Bill Steel, Lyn Spencer, Jane Jermyn and the late Annie St. John.”
Were the changes to Presentation in 1991 what prompted your decision to leave?
“My contract wasn’t renewed in 1991, owing to changes within Presentation.”
What years did you work at GNR?
“Great North Radio was 1991 – 1993. My contract wasn’t renewed when EMAP took control of the Metro Radio Group, which included GNR.”
Are you in touch with anyone from your TV days?
“I have occasional contact with Ian Masters and Lyn Spencer. One of my oldest friends worked on reception at BBC East and is married to one of Look East’s programme directors.
“I enjoyed an Anglia TV reunion in Norwich a couple of years ago, and we are due another reunion shortly with some of the pre-screen days Anglia TV colleagues, who have remained friends for over 50 years!”
Personal information
Clips of Judi on The TV Room
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Online presence
Acknowledgements
PICTURED: Judi Lines. SUPPLIED BY: Judi Lines. COPYRIGHT: Judi Lines.
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