Names like Terry Wogan, Eamonn Andrews, Craig Doyle or Mary Kenny are well-known examples of successful Irish journalists based in Britain.

However, all of them have one thing in common: they were based in London. As my own experience testifies, if they were based in other areas of England, their Irish journalism experience would not be recognised.

I worked for over 18 years as a journalist in Ireland, with the now-closed Offaly Express. Personal circumstances took me to London, where I worked for the Romford Recorder and then as a sub-editor with Associated Press.