She began her professional career as a trainee reporter on the "Western Mail" and "South Wales Echo" between 1967 and 1970, during which she shared a house in Cardiff with Michael Buerk. She then moved to BBC Plymouth as a subeditor and freelance reporter from 1970 until 1972. In 1972, she worked as a sound recordist and then gained prominence as one of the reporters/presenters of the BBC TV's news magazine "Nationwide". Her first television interview was with artist Robert Littleford FRSA. She appeared on the show until 1975, when she was offered the main anchor role on the nightly news show "Tonight".