I doubt many people thought there could be an original take on writing a detective novel, but you seem to have found one. So where did the idea come from?

It was from a conversation I was having with a detective. We were sitting in the canteen at Plymouth Crown Court, waiting for a jury to return a verdict in a murder case. They were taking ages, and we were just chatting, passing the time, when he said to me "Our jobs are very similar in a way, aren't they?" I said "How do you mean?" And he replied, "Well, we both have to try to get to the truth of a situation, usually when people are trying to stop us doing so. With me, it's criminals, trying to cover up what they've done. With you, it's normally politicians, or businessmen, or leaders of some organisation trying to hide their mistakes. Whatever, we both have to try to get to the hidden truth." Well, that got me thinking, and I came to the conclusion he was right. The skills of a detective and a journalist are very similar. We both have to know what questions to ask, and have a nose for the truth.

And so the first book - A Popular Murder - came from that?

It wasn't quite that simple. The idea rattled around in my head for quite a while first. I've often thought about writing a book, but never really known what to write about. And then I thought - why not write about what you know? You know about television and being a TV reporter. You know plenty about crime and how detectives work from your job. So why not combine the two? And I think that's where the book came from.

How long did it take to write?

Originally, about six weeks. Then, with the re-writes, another six months.

The re-writes took longer than the first draft?

Yep. Much longer. By the time A Popular Murder was finally published, it was the seventh re-write.

I think because I was learning the trade as I went. With each draft, I worked out a little more about how to write a novel. So - hopefully at least - each time I rewrote the book, it got a little better.

Tell me about Dan.; Some people I've spoken to about A Popular Murder reckon it's autobiographical.

It says in my book of "How to be a Writer" not to comment on things like that. Apparently a sense of mystery sells! But I can tell you that some of the things that happen to Dan are based on my own experiences. And I think every writer lets parts of themselves slip into their characters on some occasions. It's difficult not to.

And what about Rutherford, Dan's dog? He seems to be very important. Almost like a confidante, in fact.

I think that's a fair comment. Dan's quite a solitary creature. He doesn't seem to have many friends, and he likes being on his own. But he also likes having someone to talk to sometimes, to chew things over with. And Rutherford provides that. He's also a great foil when the depression that Dan suffers - what he calls the Swamp - bites. A walk with Rutherford, particularly on Dan's beloved Dartmoor, is pretty much guaranteed to lift his spirits.

Again, autobiographical?

Again, no comment!

But Rutherford seems very much like a real dog?

He certainly is to me. I think it's safe to reveal he's based on a dog I grew up with, an Alsatian called Sam. I was born in a pub. It was a restaurant and hotel too, quite a big place, and my Dad decided to buy a dog to help guard it. Sam was my friend through the early years of my childhood. He was utterly devoted to me. My parents say I used to poke him and pull his tail, and all he would do was give me a look and walk away. And when I played in the garden, Sam would always position himself between me and the gate, to protect me. He had to be put down when I was about seven. I cried for days. If I decide to become a full time writer, one of the first things I'll do is get a dog from a rescue centre, maybe even two. At the moment, being a News Correspondent for the BBC, the job just doesn't allow it. I couldn't give a dog the time. But if I work from home, then I can. And I'd love it that. I'd delight in taking a dog for a run in the morning or evening.

I'd also like to ask you about Dirty El. He's a great character. He's so sleazy. But he's important to the books too, isn't he?

Very much so, and on several levels. First, he's Dan's only real friend. Secondly, his antics, the ridiculous and often disgraceful ways he gets his snaps make for great sub plots. But thirdly, he's like the glue that binds the books together. He's always turning up, wherever something's going on. If I'm being immodest, I sometimes think of him as like the fools in Shakespeare's plays. He holds plots together, and occasionally says or does something surprisingly clever.

Does that sort of thing really go on? For example, you mention El hiding up a tree outside a Crown Court to sneak a picture of someone.

Very much so. The thing about my job - and the medias in general - is that there's usually someone trying to stop you doing what it is you need or want to do. And you've got to try to find a way around that. It's like a continual battle of wits.

What else do you do with your time, apart from working for the BBC and writing?

My pleasures are fairly simple. I love real ale, and we're blessed with some fantastic breweries in the south west. Otter, out in East Devon is probably my favourite. Otter Bright is an amazing beer. It's so moorish. So I like sitting in pubs, reading the newspapers or a book and chatting to friends. It's where I often work on bits of plot or character for the books. I try to get to most of the region's beer festivals too.

Favourite pub?

Tricky! There are so many good ones. When I lived in Plymouth, it was probably the Borringdon Arms at Turnchapel. Great pub food and excellent ales. In Exeter, it's the Beer Engine at Newton St Cyres. They've got a wonderful microbrewery, and also do top food. Part of the fun is getting the train out there. Newton St Cyres is a request stop. If I have friends visiting from places like London, they can't believe you have to request a stop on a train. I also love the Port Royal, on Exeter's quayside. It's got great beers, food and atmosphere and it looks out on the river, so there's always something going on to look at. The landlord, Carlos, is a brilliant host. He treats everyone like an honoured guest, and you don't see much of that anymore. Plus the pub's only two minutes walk from my house, which can be very handy if you stay longer than you'd planned.

What else do you like doing? How do you spend your time?

I love walking. We've got such fantastic countryside in the south west, I always enjoy strolling around it. I love the coast, but Dartmoor is my favourite place.

Why's that?

Well, partly because it's quieter. You don't get so many tourists as you do on the coast. And I love the bleakness. It's a wonderful natural wilderness. It feels brooding and moody. And you can get away from everything on the moor. If you want to, and you know where to go, you can walk for miles without seeing anyone. I find it's a great place to think.

And you've made your own contribution to Dartmoor too, I think. Wasn't it you who discovered the Ted Hughes memorial?

You've done your research well! Yes, that's probably one of my favourite stories, something I'm very proud of.

Tell me how you found it?

It goes back a few years now. Ted Hughes loved Dartmoor and when he died, he left a short, hand written will, requesting that a memorial to him be placed on the moor. It was to be nothing fancy, just his name carved in a block of Dartmoor granite and placed between the sources of four rivers. Now, if it was anyone else, they wouldn't have a chance. The National Park Authority don't like monuments and don't allow them. But Ted had powerful friends...

Like who?

Like Prince Charles. And he borrowed a great big military helicopter, got a slab of granite from the moor, had it inscribed with Ted's name and the dates when he was born and died and OM for the Order of Merit he received, and placed on the north moor, in a wonderful, tranquil location at the head of the River Taw.

How did you find it?

It took some doing. Looking for a lump of granite in a moor that's full of it isn't easy. And the memorial is in a very obscure location. You'd never just stumble on it. But there were clues in his will, and his works, and eventually, after about three years walking, I managed to find it. It's listed on all the Guide Books to Dartmoor now, and it is a great walk. I can thoroughly recommend it.

What are your other favourite memories from the stories you've covered?

The total eclipse of 1999 is probably the most emotional. So many times you hear the phrase "a once in a lifetime experience." But in this case, it was absolutely true. I was sent to the Channel Island of Alderney to cover it. And it was a big tease. There was cloud in the sky, and it kept obscuring the sun, coming and then going again. Right up until the minute and a half or so of totality, we didn't know if we were actually going to see it. Then the sky cleared, and that was it. You could see this extraordinary ring of fire around the black disc of the moon. It couldn't fail to make you shudder. I actually shed a tear or two, and around me, others were doing the same. There was this sense of shared spectacle. An amazing day.

And I have to ask you this. Most embarrassing on air moment?

Probably being weed on by a cow, live on air. It happened at the Devon County Show. I was presenting an outside broadcast. We were in the cattle shed, and I was walking along behind a load of cows, saying something like "Hello and welcome" and all that stuff, when I saw this tail lifting. And I knew what was coming, but I couldn't stop. And that was it, a jet of hot cow wee, right over me. No one came near me for days afterwards.

The job's not always as glamorous as it might seem then?

To say the least.

Let's get back to the books. Dan and Adam have the feeling of a series about them.

I certainly hope so.

How many do you plan to write?

That I don't know. I have new ideas for them all the time. I guess my imagination is the only limit. What I can tell you is that I've already written two, and I'm half way through a third.

Plenty for people to look forward to then?

I hope so.

If writing really takes off for you, will you still work for the BBC?

That's a difficult question. I love the BBC, and I strongly believe in what it does. Inform, educate, entertain, I'm fully behind all that, and it's not an easy combination to get right. We have such a privileged position, as a public service broadcaster. We're trusted, respected and loved. I believe in telling people what's really going on around them, not the spin that many in positions of power would have them believe. And of course, my job gives me great plot material for my books. I'd find it very difficult to leave. I think maybe I'll come to some compromise if the writing really takes off, perhaps doing a job share, a couple of days a week.

Are you enjoying this new departure, the writing?

Immensely. It's like a new career for me, running alongside the wonderful one I've already got. And people have been so kind about my writing. I've done talks at libraries and readers groups, and so many people have said how much they've enjoyed the characters and the plot, and even more kindly, asked me when the next book is coming out! I don't really mind if I don't make it big with the writing. The reaction I've seen, with so many people saying what pleasure my work has given them, that makes it all worthwhile. It's an absolute privilege to be able to entertain people, and one I want to continue doing for as long as I can.