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TV news stalker set to quit after media attention
Mark Blunden30 Jul 2010
A man who lurked in the background of more than 50 television news reports is set to quit his unusual hobby after becoming the focus of the story.
Paul Yarrow has appeared behind journalists on the BBC, ITV, Sky, Channel 4 and Al Jazeera, earning him the nickname "news raider".
But the 38-year-old care worker from East Dulwich said he is considering ending his passive protest against the culture of employing only good-looking people on television.
He has been stopped in the street and become the subject of a mean-spirited game called Kick the News Stalker. Mr Yarrow, a former security escort for the Ministry of Defence, said: "The attention has really been a shock.
"I have had journalists outside my house for three days in a row and people contacting me for interviews and setting up internet pages about me. The whole idea of getting on television reports was to make a statement about being overweight and getting ignored because of that.
"I have been at events where the media have chatted to people and when they get to me they see my pot belly and move on to the next person."
His cameo appearances, usually in a trademark beige jumper, have included reports at the Israeli embassy, Downing Street and the Antiques Roadshow. Mr Yarrow said: "Things are being taken out of context and people are setting up Facebook groups calling me legend. For that reason I might stop doing it now."
Reader views (6)
I always found him quite amusing. The efforts of camera crews to avoid getting him in shot have made great TV. Should be a BAFTA Nominee.
- Theodore Tugboat, London, UK, 31/07/2010 11:10
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He's a very sad man.
- David, London, UK, 30/07/2010 17:06
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Give me Keith Vaz in the toilets with renboys anytime for publicity-seekers.
- RENTBOYZ vaz, leics, 30/07/2010 17:01
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Continuing the great British tradition of gentle eccentricity. What name can we give to what he was doing? My starter for 10 is "Glimming".
- Steve, London, 30/07/2010 13:03
Does 'Glimming' mean making a prat of oneself? If so, I concur!
- Nowan, London, 30/07/2010 13:55
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Continuing the great British tradition of gentle eccentricity. What name can we give to what he was doing? My starter for 10 is "Glimming".
- Steve, London, 30/07/2010 13:03
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This is just another non-story about a pathetic attention-seeking loser - what's the point? It has crap-all to do with a "passive protest against the culture of employing only good-looking people on television". A poor excuse for pathetic exhibitionism if ever I heard one.
- Nowan, London, 30/07/2010 12:16
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