Christa Ackroyd
| Christa Ackroyd | |
|---|---|
 Christa (left) with Harry Gration receiving an honorary degree from the University of Bradford in 2008 | |
| Born |
4 May 1957 Eccleshill, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Known for | Television presenter |
| Spouse(s) | Chris Sutcliffe |
| Children | 3 |
Christa Marion Ackroyd (born 4 May 1957, Eccleshill, West Riding of Yorkshire, England)[1][2] is a British journalist and broadcaster, best known as a former presenter for the regional TV news programmes Calendar and Look North.
Early life
She attended Hanson Girls' Grammar School (now Hanson Academy) from 1968 (which had moved to its new site in Five Lane Ends in 1967), which became the co-educational comprehensive Hanson School in 1972.
Career
After leaving print media, Ackroyd switched to broadcasting and joined the news team of local radio station Pennine Radio in Bradford (now The Pulse of West Yorkshire). She later moved to neighbouring Radio Aire in Leeds, becoming the UK's first female radio news editor in 1981.[3] She later became the station's programme controller, often presenting some weekend shows herself, until her departure in 1990.
Ackroyd switched to television and became a co-anchor for Yorkshire Television's regional news programme Calendar in 1990, alongside Richard Whiteley, and later, Mike Morris. In September 2001, she switched to the BBC to present the Leeds-based edition of Look North with Harry Gration.[4][5]
Departure from the BBC
Ackroyd last presented Look North on 1 March 2013. Several weeks later, a Yorkshire Post article questioned her absence from the programme and whether her salary, reported to be around £150,000 per year, was justified. The BBC declined to explain her prolonged absence, citing unspecified "editorial reasons".[6] Shipley MP Philip Davies called for the Corporation to explain whether Ackroyd was still being paid despite her ongoing absence.[7]
In July 2013, the BBC announced that Ackroyd had been dismissed by the Corporation after twelve years after what was considered to be an unspecified "breach of contract" and would not return to present Look North.[8] Ackroyd's freelance contract was terminated without compensation.[9]
The same month, it was also revealed that an investigation into Ackroyd's tax arrangements was underway.[10]
Since her departure from the BBC, Ackroyd has played some minor roles in television drama, most recently in the Danish programme "Bedrag" (eng. "Follow the money"), as a television news presenter, in only one episode.
Personal life
She lives near Ogden Water, Halifax with her husband, Chris Sutcliffe, whom she married in 1982 in Halifax. They have two daughters and a son. She enjoys riding her three horses, which is a difficulty as she has rheumatoid arthritis. She was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Bradford in July 2008, alongside co-anchor Harry Gration.[11]
References
- ↑ Archived Look North profile, bbc.co.uk
- ↑ Companies House
- ↑ Archived Look North profile, bbc.co.uk
- ↑ Shock for YTV as Christa is poached, Bradford Telegraph and Argus, 30 May 2001
- ↑ All points north Archived December 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine., York Press, 4 September 2001
- ↑ "BBC attacked over £150,000-a-year Christa Ackroyd absence from Look North". Yorkshire Post. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ↑ "MP wants BBC to explain Christa Ackroyd’s Look North disappearance". Yorkshire Post. 11 May 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ↑ "Christa Ackroyd leaves BBC Look North in Yorkshire role". BBC. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ Sacked Look North presenter Christa Ackroyd faces tax inquiry, Yorkshire Evening Post, 4 July 2013
- ↑ "Christa Ackroyd leaves BBC Look North in Yorkshire role". BBC. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "Christa Ackroyd, Doctor of the University and Harry Gration, Doctor of the University". University of Bradford. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2008.