News raider: who is the man in the background?
Updated on 28 July 2010
A man who has become an internet sensation for his regular appearances in the background of news programmes, including Channel 4 News, has revealed it is part of a campaign to fight for the rights of ordinary people.
Paul Yarrow, a south London community worker, has made a string of cameo appearances on news bulletins, including Channel 4 News, BBC, ITV News and Sky News.
Nicknamed by the media as the "news raider", "moob man" or, less kindly "the fat man who just wants to be on TV", he appears to have the uncanny ability to appear when a story is breaking.
He has also made an appearance on the Antiques Roadshow. The "news raider" had been operating for a while before he was brought to the public's attention on the comedy programme Russell Howard's Good News.
A "Paul Yarrow" is said to have applied to Big Brother in 2010 saying he is "currently known as the fat man who wants to be on TV." We are unable to verify if the applcant was the same man.
Local newspaper the South London Press has described Mr Yarrow as "a good Samaritan" - he won an award in 2008 for his community work. Accepting the award he responded: "It feels good to be here amongst all these people - but I don't do things for recognition."
He is said to have cared for unwell relatives, helped elderly people in the community and championed local causes since he was a boy.
But his hobby is unusual and his unsolicited appearances are plenty. He has become a familiar face among reporters.
Channel 4 News reporter Keme Nzerem writes:
The first time I noticed our friend Mr Yarrow was when he was lurking behind my colleague Sue Turton when she was doing a very serious live on the story of Nick Griffin appearing on Question Time.
He added a certain "je ne sais quoi" as he stared in the background.
Most recently I saw him at the Chilcot inquiry as Tony Blair gave evidence, he was meandering through live shots and pieces to camera.
I have never spoken to him myself, but he seems friendly enough and will even give you a smile when approached.
But I have never quite gathered the courage to ask what he's doing there.
Mr Yarrow has claimed news channels "only approach good looking people" in the street. He is making a stand for egalitarianism, the rights and view points of ordinary people.
He told the Evening Standard: "It is a statement about the image-conscious media. I am overweight and people like me are treated as unsightly because of the way they look.
"Being overweight I get ignored. I could have a valid point about something but the microphone is always passed to the person alongside me."
Channel 4 News has issued the following statement: "We’re more than happy that our reports have played a part in accommodating Mr Yarrow’s campaign. We'd reject the suggestion that we ever focus on aesthetics over substance, but nevertheless wish Mr Yarrow all the best."
