HAVING TV icon Noel Edmonds as the subject of your first interview is a daunting task - especially if you're only 12.

But Ginny Buckley took it in her stride and sowed the seeds of a successful career in front of the cameras.

Then living at Kilnerdeyne Terrace, Rochdale, the youngster had only completed a 15-minute programme on Radio Manchester when she got her big break in 1981.

The slot was so successful producers of the hit Saturday morning show 'Multi-Coloured Swap Shop' decided to use two of the presenters - including the Kingsway Middle School pupil - as a link up.

With more than 10 million viewers tuning in Ginny interviewed Noel and local group Sad Café.

She was a hit and later appeared on 'Swap Shop's' successor 'Saturday Superstore.'

Turning her hand to acting, Ginny featured in several radio plays took theatre studies at Oldham's Grange Arts Centre.

In 1987, at the age of 19, she took the bold step of emigrating to Australia.

Working her way up through several radio stations, she beat 600 other applicants to present the 'Wacky Wheelers' TV programme.

Her career Down Under went from strength to strength with a four-month series in Adelaide called 'C'mon Kids' and a new show called 'Hey, Hey, It's Saturday' in which she worked with Jason Donovan.

Ginny returned to Britain in 1991 and became co-presenter of the BBC show 'The Wetter the Better.'

A move to Granada resulted in her taking on a series of varied roles. She presented three series of the health and fitness programme 'Bodycheck' and was a features writer for 'Granada Tonight' - also hosting their changing rooms-style slot 'Ginny will fix it'.

The then Norden-based presenter has also been one of the hosts for the 'Taste for Travel' programme which has resulted in trips to South Africa, Malaysia, the Azores, Slovenia and Croatia.

She has also been a presenter/reporter for the BBC's 'Holiday 2002' and '2003' and been a presenter of the 'Holiday's 10 Best'.

Ginny's passion for cars has featured heavily in her career.

She has presented motoring programmes on satellite, cable and terrestrial channels and writes on the subject for 'Loaded' magazine and two national newspapers.

In 2004 she presented a new ITV1 series called 'Car Hunt'.

Ginny moved to Sky News in June 2005 and in October of that year became part of the Sky News Today team in the 2pm to 5pm slot.