 After two years he undertook a post-graduate diploma at the Centre for Journalism Studies at Cardiff University, and started his broadcast career as a regional news reporter in Plymouth for the BBC in 1995.Cotton then chose to become freelance to pursue a career in sports broadcast journalism, moving to London to specialise in sport including spells at digital TV network Channel 1, Sky Sports, Five and ITV.Cotton rejoined the BBC in 1998 as a sports producer and presenter on overnight production shifts for BBC Breakfast, before joining BBC News 24 as a sports presenter.