Behind the Scenes with BBC Breakfast News

Behind the Scenes of Our BBC Breakfast Feature: Postcards, Postmen, and a Slice of History

When you watch a BBC Breakfast segment, it’s easy to forget how much happens off-camera. Our recent feature was no exception, in between the polished moments that made it to air were wagging tails, surprise interviews, and a glimpse into a piece of BBC history we’d been keeping safe for decades.

This is the story you didn’t see on TV.

Prepping for the Big Day

When the BBC team reached out to feature us, we knew it was a chance to share our story with a national audience, but we also knew the cameras wouldn’t capture everything. The days before the shoot were a blur of planning and polishing. We debated which team members should be on camera, prepped the office so it was camera ready and tried to condense years of work into a handful of soundbites.

We also had to keep reminding ourselves that hours of filming often become mere seconds on screen, which meant plenty would be left on the cutting room floor.

Lights, Camera… Wait, More Waiting

On the day, the crew arrived bright and early, armed with lights, cameras, and enough cables to power a small village. We quickly learned that TV production involves a lot of waiting. Waiting for the light to be perfect. Waiting while shots were re-done from different angles. Waiting while a delivery van noisily interrupted a take. By the third retake, we could recite our lines backwards, including the numerous postcards that were written for each take.

The Story You Didn’t See: Our Glass Plate Archive

One story that didn’t make the final edit is one we’re incredibly proud of. Our 33,000 glass plate negative archive, started by our founder and renowned photographer Fred Judge and now being carefully rescanned in high resolution.

As part of this project, we’ve partnered with the Mary Evans Picture Library to license these historic images for publications and exhibitions. While prepping for the BBC visit, we dug out something special, an original glass plate negative of BBC Broadcasting House in London taken, we think, in the 1930s.

We showed the crew the original negative alongside the restored image. Sharp, detailed, and as close to the moment it was taken as possible. For many of the BBC team, the building is just part of their everyday life; to see it frozen in time nearly a century ago was unexpectedly moving.

BBC Broadcasting House.  From a 1930s glass plate negative in our archive to a high-resolution restoration in 2025.

The Office Dog Cameo

Mid-filming, another unplanned star wandered in, our office dog, Mabel. With impeccable timing, they strolled into the room, tail wagging, instantly winning over the crew. She was so charming that she even made the final cut, a small blink and you’ll miss it cameo that still managed to brighten viewers’ mornings.

Postman to Prime Time: Scott’s Surprise Interview

Then came the most unlikely star, our postman Scott. He was simply doing his morning round, buzzing the door to drop off the post.
The BBC team spotted him and asked if he’d mind answering a few questions. Minutes later, he was strolling along the street with a camera crew in tow, talking about how many postcards he sees on his route. It was authentic, funny, and a moment of TV gold.

Why It Mattered to Us

Being on BBC Breakfast wasn’t just about publicity, it was about connection. It was about showing the care behind what we do, the unexpected joy of an office dog, the warmth of a chat with a postman, and the power of a historic image to stop someone in their tracks.

The Real Takeaway

If you ever get the chance to be on live TV:

Prepare, but stay flexible.

Don’t fear the unexpected. It might become your best moment.

Enjoy it because the day will fly by.

We’re proud of the segment that aired, but even prouder of the behind the scenes moments. The laughter, the teamwork, the happy accidents, and our ongoing mission to bring 33,000 pieces of history into the present.

Read the BBC article here