Who is this guy? Mystery man keeps appearing on live news reports
Posted by Steve (fidgetwith.com)Article last updated: Aug 28, 2010
May 31
Do you know this man?
This guy has been making random appearances on live television for the last couple of months.
He has appeared in the background of live news reports on BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky News at random locations and at random times. It seems if there is a camera crew about at the moment, he is there too!
The latest time I’ve spotted him was today on the ITV lunchtime news where he stood in the background of an outside broadcast by the Houses of Parliament.
He has also been spotted in the background of an episode of the Antiques Roadshow.
Here are some more of his appearances.
BBC News Channel:
Channel 4 news:
Sky News:
Sky news again. He actually walked round when the camera changed angle to get back in shot.
Back at St Pancras station, time to read the newspaper!
Getting involved in the Unite-BA press conference this time:
And finally spotted in the background of the Antiques Roadshow.
More sightings and updates on the next page
Update 01/06/10:
Thanks to Slymgym for these extra sightings following a building fire in Peckham:
and at the Gaza protests in London on 31st May:
UPDATE 2nd July 2010: Seems he’s still at it! Still no new outfit though! Here he is at Parliament Square on BBC London News this evening:
UPDATE 4th July 2010: Thanks to Slimgym again, here’s another sighting on London Tonight from 30th June 2010:
UPDATE 7th July 2010: He has been spotted again today on ITV London’s regional news program. He is clearly seen placing a flower at the memorial of the victims of the 7/7 terrorist attacks in London. It is my belief the flowers are meant for the victim’s families -- is he one? Or is he just using the platform to gain another brief TV appearance?
UPDATE#2 7/7/10: He’s also made it onto the main picture for the event on the BBC News website :
More sightings and updates on the next page
UPDATE 16th July 2010: He’s at it again! Thanks to my eagle eyed visitors, he’s been spotted agian on today’s One o’clock news on BBC1 -- this time the news story about the Yorkshire Ripper not being released. On this occasion he can be seen on his mobile phone and also briefly talking to another lady also on her phone. Who was she? Does she know him? The plot thickens!
And again at Parliament Square:
UPDATE #2, 16th July 2010: Russel Howard featured him on his show at the end of last year after making 2 appearances. Here is some of the video footage:
UPDATE 17th July 2010:Thank you for all the inbound links to here from several forums. I notice some are caliming these are photoshopped images. I can wholeheartedly promise you they are NOT photoshopped imagesother than to crop/resize the images for use on the web. All have been captured from live broadcasts by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 or Sky. I am also not the only witness, but have hopefully gathered the best collection of the “evidence” he exists!
UPDATE 19th July 2010:Spotted again on BBC’s One o’click news today at the schools protest in London:
So do you recognise him? Are you this person? Have you got any more images of his appearances?
Please share this page with your friends -- use the buttons below to share this page by Email, Twitterand Facebook. You can also use the easy to remember short url http://bit.ly/newsman to help you remember the address to here.
Let’s see if together we can find out how this mystery man is!
UPDATE 21st July 2010:
Thanks to “foo-ki-loo” we have a name! Paul Yarrow
Here he is:
It seems he may be a “good samaritan” according to the South London Press:
PAGES and pages of handwritten praise for Paul Yarrow have been filed in the South London Press Our Heroes folder.
Over the past few weeks nominations have been flying in for Bermondsey 40-year-old Paul Yarrow under Community Champion, Good Samaritan and Carer of the Year.
So what has he done to warrant such glowing words and 12 nominations under three different categories?
Whether it’s caring for friends and family, helping elderly people in the community or championing causes and campaigns, Paul has devoted nearly every day of his life to others.
Paul, who used to work as a security escort for the (then) Ministry of Defence, said: “I’ve been caring since the age of 12 for neighbours and family.
“My grandmother had diabetes and was bedridden. I was her carer from 12 until I was 14, when she died. I did cleaning and shopping and bought her food.
“Then my mother had breast cancer and high blood pressure, so I looked after her.
“And I cared for my dad, Patrick, who died in March this year.”
Paul, whose 78-year-old mum Stella lives in East Dulwich, also nursed friends John James Green, who died of hepatitis, and Dave Alister, whose life was claimed by an Aids-related illness.
Paul said: “I don’t know what draws me to caring for people.
“I think it’s because I don’t like to see people suffering.
“The world is in such a rush and people don’t have time for those people.”
Paul is, or has been, a member of countless organisations and campaigns and takes an interest in community initiatives all over South London.
They include collecting thousands of signatures to help save the East Dulwich Community Centre from being sold to developers.
And he was part of the massive campaign that fought the closure of the Maudsley Hospital’s 24-hour emergency mental health clinic.
He is currently working to keep the Felix Post Day Centre, for over-60s with mental health issues, open.
On top of all that, he helps out around his neighbourhood as vice-chairman of the Barry Area Forum and even cleans the Tenants Association Hall.
He said: “I’ve been through a lot of sad times, but it’s always good for me to get out. I like meeting people and don’t have much time to myself.
“I’m the sort of person who is always doing something for others.”
Friend Duncan Avery said: “He has managed to cope with enormous challenges with personal issues within the family.
“He has stood up and supported those who can’t support themselves.
“Who’s going to stand up for him?”
UPDATE 22nd July 2010:Eagle eyed visitors to fidgetwith.com keep bringing more sightings in! including (thanks to ericezza) a one on one interview by ITN about improving care homes and another was spotted by Mr F where he seems to want to enter Big Brother:
on January 2010 at 10:50 am Paul Yarrow said:
I am a son of a ww2 Fighter pilot Patrick Yarrow,he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by King George the 6th,after the war.
He also worked in the film studios with such greats as Elizabeth Taylor,Richard Burton,Orsen Wells,Anthony Quinn and at Thames Television.
Sadly I was too young at the time to work in the industry.
I went to school with Prince Nicholas of Greece,he is related to Prince Philip. I have wone several local awards encluding the ‘Good samaritan of the Year’award by the South London Press.
I am currently known as the fat guy who wants to be on television on the popular BBC3 ‘Russell Howard’s Good News.
I am very well known in South London working in the Voluntary Sector. I often talk to MP’s Tessa Jowell,Harriet Harmon,Simon Hughs.
UPDATE #2 22nd July 2010:Thanks again to another tip off from visitors! Here he is from a live broadbast on ITV1′s evening news today. This time outside New Scotland Yard. Just how close is he to the reporter!
Will news reporters in London have to start hiring bouncers now he seems to be getting “braver”?
UPDATE 23rd July 2010: Fancy a little fun? Try my “Where’s Yarrow” game!
UPDATE 24th July 2010: Reporters! Get your own back with my “Kick the news stalker” flash game! Click here to play!
UPDATE: 27th July 2010: A massive breakthrough! After several days of no sightings, he’s back -- and, wait for it -- are you sitting down? he has a NEW TOP!
Here he is this afternoon, just after 2pm outside BP’s headquarters on Al Jazera English news channel:
Tweets about him are still going strong, with the hashtags of #newsman or #moobman becoming popular.
UPDATE 28th July 2010: This story has gone truly mainstream now. This blog has been featured in the Telegraph and the Daily Mail websites -- it’s also apparantly to be in an article in tomorrow’s printed edition of The Mail. I was also interviewed live on BBC Radio Wales this evening by the lovely people on the “Good Evening Wales” show. It’s even been featured as far away as Channel 9 Australia! If you have any more sightings please let me know via the “contact me” link at the top!
UPDATE#2 28th July 2010: Another sighting -- thanks to the anonymous commenter. This time during an interview with David Icke back in May:
he has also been apparantly interviewed by the London Evening Standard who has taken the story (although no credit back to here -- apart from the mention ”with one website recording his on-screen cameos.” -- boo hiss Evening Standard!)
UPDATE 29th July 2010: Thanks to Dan for the heads up about his interview for the BBC here. It’s great they featured of my own “Kick the news stalker” game in the video right from this very site!
UPDATE 6th August 2010: Thanks to “Not telling” in the comments, the Australian satire show “Yes We Canberra” have photoshopped him, without comment, into an Australian election campaign press conference. Paul,you are now truly known worldwide (now maybe you can reply to my Facebook email?) !
Do you know Paul Yarrow? Are YOU Paul Yarrow? Let me know!
Related posts:
Well one thing is for sure, his top is probably due a wash by now!
I’ve seen him myself, usually on the phone, which makes me think there are several people planning his next “spot” lol.
I’ve just seen him again on the BBC Five O’Clock News (31/05/2010) during protests about the Israeli incident on the Gaza Aid Flotilla.
He still appears to be wearing the same top!
I saw him ages ago when they filmed the protests outside the BBC in response to Nick Griffin appearing on ‘Question Time’. Russell Howard even picked up on the bloke’s continual appearance on his show ‘Good News’
We have also seen this guy but I am outraged to have seen him today on London Tonight walking around with the grieving families of 7/7 with a flower in his hand which was obviously for families which I am pretty sure he is not – how disgusting
@lesley flint – Thanks. I’ve managed to get the footage and updated the pictures above. It does seem in very bad taste if he’s just using it as a platform to get on TV again.
literally just saw him on the bbc lunchtime news.. it’s mad, i just expect to see him on tele now.
Ewww, just spotted him loitering on the BBC Broadcast in Parliament Square … he ws creeping closer and closer to the back of the femail reporter as time went on. Same jumper…
He was on the bbc news at one today, outside the High Court for the Yorkshire ripper parole case.
Found him here! BBC lunchtime news, case of the yorkshire ripper… http://i25.tinypic.com/k981z4.jpg
His name is Paul Yallow.
I met him today at the democracy village.
He says he does it to protest against the media, how they predigest against older people and over weight people, plus he wants to be famous.
Hi Darren,
Is this legitimate? Sorry to doubt you, but do you have any proof I can use for the page?
Who cares, just some weirdo old man with nothing better to do.
ITV lunchtime news today. Behind Chris Ship at Building Schools for the Future protest!
This is how Unknown Armies gets started. First it’s just one guy constantly appearing on TV for no reason. Next thing you know, they’re coming out of the trees, man.
Funny. It’s almost like a series of ‘where’s Wally’…oh, there he is.
He looks a bit like Colin Baker
This is funny. I noticed him a while back during the elections. Sometimes the camera man tried to move slightly so he was out of the shot, he just casually walked back into it. If what Darren says about his motive is correct I think it’s pretty marvelous.
Just a thought, could use hashtag #newsman on twitter ;)
There was a piece about this guy on Russell Howards Good News a few months ago. Man is a legend he was all over the place during the election.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1814545926&ref=search#!/profile.php?id=1814545926&ref=ts
he’s paul yarrow heres his facebook
Well done! We have a winner :)
LOL foo-ki-loo well done :) Now he will get tonnes of messages on facebook, just the sort of “fame” he wanted I guess.
He says its a protest, well its far from clear it is. To me it looks like a sad man who doesnt have any other clothes than the white top just to get noticed, sorry I said that wrong, he is a VERY sad man. Clearly has nothing better to do.
haha thanks steve ;)
He commented on a blog in January this year admitting it was him.
Source: bigbigbrother.com/big-brother-2010-apply-now-to-audition/
@Mr F – Nice find!
I FOUND HIM AMG
Hear him speak…
http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist//ITN/2009/12/03/T03120901/
Wow – just, wow!
Paul strikes again! ITV1 this time. 1830 22/7/10 .Second package in. Another quality Paul presentation!
@Dacey – Thanks! Updated the article with pics now :)
Spotted this, dated today:
http://www.southlondonpress.co.uk/tn/featuresdetail.cfm?id=173
I don’t get it, all I see is pictures of static, like the fuzz on tv??
@Jez – yes, I already linked to this and copied some of the content on the main article.
This looks shoped
I can assure you it’s all genuine :) There are plenty of witnesses who see him regularly on the news here in the UK.
Wow! I started a Facebook appreciation page for him ages ago because I think he’s AWESOME!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1814545926&ref=search#!/group.php?gid=111634045545234&v=wall&ref=ts
http://www.southlondonpress.co.uk/tn/featuresdetail.cfm?id=173
He does seem a bit odd, but can’t really knock him for the good samaritan stuff.
I remember him being in the background of a channel 4 broadcast live outside the BBC when Nick Griffin was on question time. I think he then appeared on the BBC outisde broadcast a few minutes later.
He must read the news and know where the outside broadcasts are going to be, unless he has an insider. We need to know.
Don’t know about him being an outsider – the other day on the BBC it looked as though someone pretending to be on a mobile phone was trying (unsuccessfully) to herd him out of shot.
he’s on facebook !
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1814545926&ref=search#!/profile.php?id=1814545926&v=wall&ref=search
er – “Don’t know about him being an *in*sider”, I mean.
I saw him in the flesh at Malcolm McLaren’s funeral procession in Camden back in April. I was tempted to go up to him and ask him who he was, but decided not to as didn’t want to feed his ego any more….
That’s not a new top … he’s just taken his jumper off.
You can see the collar of the shirt in some of the earlier shots.
It’s because he’s really just an apparition and then they’ve invented this Yarrow back story to cover the fact there’s been a ghost on TV for weeks.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23860903-story-behind-the-man-whos-always-behind-the-news-reporters.do
spotted him on the interview with David Icke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mojsgRl_0Gg
What a creeper! This is kind of hilarious…..and odd.
Hey Paul, how do you have the time?! Don’t you work??
Danish newpaper writing about FG
http://kpn.dk/article2135809.ece
There’s something really creepy about someone who would say “I’m the sort of person who is always doing something for others.” That’s not for you to say, sunshine.
Today he is in Polish news, too ;)
http://deser.pl/deser/1,97052,8187114,_Gruby_facet__na_drugim_planie__Stacje_zastanawiaja.html
Title says: fatman in the background. TV stations wonder who is it.
He has the same surname as one of the singers in the gospel group, Peter, Paul & Mary. It is an unusual surname.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/london/hi/tv_and_radio/newsid_8868000/8868730.stm
He has made it into the pages of the New Zealand Herald today this fella is a legend.
Bloody brilliant!He sets up the premise that we have become all to aware and accepting of the ubiquitous camera’s presence in real life. His actions are questioning their right to public space as being greater than ours (the average Joe Blow). And his dig at the media stereotype of hursuit, slim, presentable “Voices of God” is very clever in it’s mundanity. All power to Yarrow I say and keep up the good work.
He is also on news.com.au – Australian news site
O.k. mate you have had your 15 minutes of fame.
i am so sick of these self-obsessed people with no self respect who wonder why others don’t see them as respectable. stuff their faces until their bodies bloat, dress like slobs, then whine about being viewed negatively. pathetic loser.
Could be some footage for an upcoming comedy show. They did a similar thing here in Belgium too (a couple of years ago).
Don’t be so petty, “your fifteen minutes of fame are up” – what?
Are you that sad you need to get jealous and spiteful of something that is just a little satiricial and a lot of fun? It’s not like he’s trying to sell you anything, he’s not actively promoting his own name – the only thing that’s done that is the media itself.
Use your noggins before whining about the fact he’s had some attention and you haven’t. What harm is he doing? None.
He was featured in the New Zealand Herald this morning. Lol. Thats how I found this site, coz I thought it was a bit of a crack up!
This reminds me a bit of Forrest Gump doing his running.
“And one day, for no particular reason – I decided to get on TV”
Also does anyone know what the furthest from London he has been seen?
@ Will. My what? Noggin.. lol.. No not sad or Jealous, I don’t feel the need to lurk behind a news crew. You are right it is funny but you must admit it is rather creepy.
He will probably be the next biggest thing in the U.K. Dancing with stars, Britians got talent, oh and don’t forget Big brother. lol..
Apparently he writes for “The Republic of Southwark”, an online community blog. All of his entries can be seen here:
http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthwark.co.uk/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=137:paulyarrow
Interestingly enough, his second to last entry was on the Anti-BNP protest last November, which happens to be the first he was caught on camera at.
This guy is going to get a tv series
photo shop sponsors him travel
Good going son, more info here, http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2010/jul/28/paul-yarrow-tvs-news-raider
He’s the man. ;)
Today he was featured in Czech news as well:)…
http://www.lidovky.cz/londyn-ma-sveho-forrest-gumpa-je-vsude-podivejte-se-fx9-/lide.asp?c=A100804_193525_lide_pks
Isn’t it odd to say ‘I think the media should stop ignoring X people’ then when they ask to interview you, you decline. Then eventually you are interviewed and you come up with some lame argument for why you were doing it in the first place.
People who look smart, comb their hair, and put on a nice suit have made an EFFORT. Chubby blokes who wear the same shirt day in and out and linger in the background aren’t going to be sages, well…unless they’re Socrates of course.
Aussie satirical show “Yes We Canberra” photoshopped him, without comment, into an Australian election campaign press conference:
http://www.abc.net.au/iview/?series=2962554#/series/2962554
(around the 3:17 mark)
Screen capture: http://i38.tinypic.com/2nl8sgi.jpg
I like this guy and his mission. What a cool face ;-)
Yeah my friend knows this guy, and he has been round his house. He is a proper wierdo and my friend told me some stuff about him I wouldn’t say on here.
Its the Doctor – in a new Incarnation! Pretty Sure!