AWARD-winning broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire wants to do things differently.

After 16 years as the voice of news and debate on Radio 5 live, she has launched a new daytime television programme which she hopes is refreshing for viewers.

Just days into the show, called Victoria Derbyshire, she admits the ambitious new venture is exciting and scary — and there is “lots to learn”.

The programme, which launched last week and features original stories, exclusive interviews, audience debate and breaking news, is broadcast simultaneously on BBC Two, the BBC News Channel and online.

Bury-born Victoria, aged 46, said: “It’s going well.

“The audience seem to like it which is good.

“I feel really tired but that’s all right.

“We have got a long way to go, we’ve got lots to learn but, at this point, we’re doing ok.”

The mother-of-two came up with the idea along with Louisa Compton, the programme’s editor, who also oversees BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat.

It seeks to connect with audiences on TV, online and via social media, as well as producing videos designed for an online audience first.

Victoria said: “It’s exciting but it’s also very daunting.

“We are trying to do things differently.

“I want it to be different to all other television news programmes.”

It was while at the University of Liverpool that Victoria became interested in journalism, going on to study for a post-graduate diploma in radio and TV journalism at Preston Polytechnic, now the University of Central Lancashire.

Victoria, who did a work experience stint at The Bolton Evening News, said: “I did a bit of writing for the university newspaper, a review of a film or book.

“I wasn’t very good at writing but I did want to do journalism.”

On completing her course, she applied for jobs in local radio and landed one at a commercial station in Birmingham before Radio Five 5 live, which she left last year.

She said: “I was sad, I love that station and the listeners but I’m hoping, over time, to have a similar sort of relationship with this programme.”

Known for her fearless interviews but also sensitive approach when the subject-matter warrants it, Victoria describes herself as normal and informal but “authoritative and robust when necessary”.

She said: “I hope I’m exactly the same on the television as I am on radio and in real life.”

Real life is her two sons, partner — BBC Radio 2 documentary maker and former World Have Your Say editor Mark Sandell — friends and mother Pauline, who lives in Turton.

After living in Ramsbottom, Rochdale and Holcombe Brook, for a short time, they moved to Turton when Victoria was 17 and her parents divorced.

Very close to her mother Pauline, who often pops down to London for visits, does Victoria think the tough times brought them closer together?

She said: “I have no idea because I think we might have been close anyway. We have a very strong relationship.”

Since joining Radio Five 5 live in 1998, Victoria has seen many changes to her industry including the advent of the internet and, in recent years, the explosion of social media including Twitter.

She said: “I think the iPhone is only eight-years-old — it’s unbelievable.

“When I started in local radio, we didn’t have any interaction with the audience. There was no e mail.

“When I started at 5 live, e mail was just becoming a thing.

“We would get three e mails a programme and would be so excited.”

For someone who “loves having conversations with people”, Twitter is a welcome invention.

She said: “People say, what do I think of Twitter? I love it and embrace it.

“Why would I not love that? Ok, there’s occasionally ‘I don’t like what you’re wearing’.”

Since making the shift from radio to television, Victoria admits she puts more thought into her outfits and has help on hand to disguise her tiredness.

She said: “Obviously, I have got to care about what I’m wearing. I can’t just turn up in a jeans and T-shirt like on the radio.

“Luckily, they put lots of make-up on you that covers up the bags under your eyes.”

Victoria Derbyshire is on BBC News Channel and BBC Two from 9.15am to 11am weekdays.