My World Book Day Special Chat with Dermot O’Leary: Reflecting
on Learnings and Legacy
For World Book Day 2025 Derrick sits down with TV broadcaster and best-selling
author of Toto the Ninja Cat Series Dermot O’Leary for a special chat to discuss his
early loves for reading and writing, the inspiration behind his books, and top
takeaway tips to help children along their on magical reading and writing journeys.
It has been five months since the formal end of Learning the Ropes 2024.
I reflect fondly on how much of a whirlwind six months the programme was, filled
with discovery and opportunity. The mentees and I lamented the end of it; we formed
friendships and got to collaborate with each other in productive and meaningful
ways, and a drawbridge had been let down for us to access industry resources.
However, in our last session, Dermot and Fran assured that the drawbridge will
remain down, and I knew that my connection with the mentees didn’t have to end
with the conclusion of the programme.
Which was why I was thrilled to be able to work with them again when Dermot
afforded me the opportunity to interview him, helping me develop my broadcasting
showreel. The planning and execution of the interview reminded me of a few
important learnings that I gathered during Learning the Ropes.
The ball is in your court to make magic out of the opportunities given to you.
I initially had no idea what the interview would be about, but I was sure that I wanted
to make the most of it because when else would I be able to interview Dermot
O’Leary! Whatever it would be about, I wanted to ensure that it aligned with the
themes of children and education. In a previous conversation I had with Dermot, he
mentioned how he dedicates a good number of hours to prepping and research
before he sits down with a guest. So, I did some of my own research into him.
I knew him mostly through his work hosting X Factor and This Morning, but I wasn’t
familiar with him being a children’s author – and a best-selling one at that! I
investigated his Toto the Ninja Cat series, read some extracts, and watched past
content where he talks about it. This was the link to the theme of children I was after,
and I decided I wanted the educational element to be about children gaining top tips
on how to read and write more. From this I developed key questions I wanted to ask
Dermot and fun segments to engage the audience further. The end product was
everything I hoped it would be, which was in large due to the work put in alongside
the fabulous contributions of Dermot and the team involved. A sure reminder to
make the most out of what is given to you and put in what you want to get out.
Networking and collaborating with others in this industry will get you far
One thing I loved about Learning the Ropes was that the mentees had diverse
interests, skillsets and experiences which created the perfect environment for
collaborative work to happen.
Any kind of production requires a team of people to fulfil certain roles, and I was
fortunate to be able to get the help of some fellow mentees to do that. Their
combined skill set included camera operating, producing-directing, art directing,
photography and editing, some of which I’m far from an expert in (hah!) but it was
great to be able to bring our unique skills together in producing this interview. It
provided us all the opportunity to practice our respective crafts and is a cool project
to add to our credentials.
Producing quality content can be a costly affair if you’re relying on outside
professional services, but having creative peers to collaborate with meant we could
be cost-effective. I wouldn’t have been able to do it with them! So special shout out
to Rob Bell, Chloe Wheatcroft, Erin Mussett, David Joseph and Maya Jagger. I know
it won’t be the last project we work on.
It takes a village to help you realise your dreams – appreciate your network
and build on it
In addition to my fellow mentees, I am so grateful to have had the support from a
senior and established force:
Fremantle for providing a space at their officers to conduct the interview; Peter
Green and Hot Cam for not only providing camera, lighting and sound equipment,
but driving it all down to location; Dermot for giving his time to allow me to interview
him; Fran for facilitating the coming together of it all.
The industry demands a lot of professional’s time and attention, so I highly
appreciate the generosity and willingness they offered to help on this project. At the
start of Learning the Ropes, it was emphasized to our cohort that the industry is built
on relationships. One of the legacies of the program is the widened network you take
away with you as well as key contacts that you can draw on for support. Now that I
work as a production assistant on Live Lessons for CBBC and BBC Teach, I’ve been
able to develop more connections with people in the industry and feel like I’m a part
of a supportive community that want to see me win.
Words by Derrick Otchere
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