Former BBC presenter moves into estate agency videos

Former BBC Look North presenter Christa Ackroyd has begun producing property video content for a Yorkshire estate agency, more than a decade after leaving broadcasting.

Ackroyd, 69, is creating social media property tours for Hunters in Otley, West Yorkshire, on a freelance basis. She has completed two videos for the agency and indicated she hopes to work with additional estate agents in future.

“I love houses and renovations and am very passionate about them, so it seemed a perfect fit,” Ackroyd told the Daily Mail. “At 69 years old, I’m thrilled that people may still feel I have something to offer.”

Background and legal history

Ackroyd departed the BBC in 2013 following an HMRC investigation into her tax arrangements. She subsequently lost a legal dispute over IR35 rules, resulting in a liability of up to £420,000 in tax and National Insurance contributions.

The tribunal determined she had been incorrectly classified as self-employed for tax purposes, though HMRC did not allege dishonesty in the case. The IR35 rules, designed to prevent tax avoidance through personal service companies, have affected numerous media professionals.

Property industry response

Lester Hurst of Hunters Otley said the agency approached Ackroyd after discovering her interest in property. “We have all watched Christa on television for many years. When we discovered her love of houses, we thought it’d be a good idea to do some videos of our most prestigious properties,” he said.

The use of video content in property marketing has grown across the sector, with agencies increasingly investing in social media strategies. While larger agencies face regulatory challenges, smaller regional firms are exploring alternative marketing approaches to differentiate their services.

Since leaving the BBC, Ackroyd has contributed to The Yorkshire Post and appeared in television documentaries. Her move into property video production reflects a broader trend of former broadcast journalists transitioning into specialist content creation within the property sector.

Hurst reported the initial response to the videos has been significant, though specific metrics on property viewings or sales conversions were not disclosed.