TV Twins achieve joint honours

Twin sisters Rebecca and Rachel Gilbank have always followed an identical path. They studied exactly the same A levels and have now achieved the same degree at the University of Teesside, the BA (Hons) Television Production Professional Practice. Both sisters gained 2.1 degrees.

Twin sisters Rebecca and Rachel Gilbank have always followed an identical path. They studied exactly the same A levels and have now achieved the same degree at the University of Teesside, the BA (Hons) Television Production Professional Practice. Both sisters gained 2.1 degrees.

Rebecca and Rachel, 22, are originally from Rudston, East Yorkshire. At Bridlington High School they both studied Art, Film Studies, English Literature and Language and General Studies. However, they nearly chose different Universities.

Rachel said: “We’ve always been interested in film making, being expressive and creative. Originally I was going to study in Wales, Teesside was my second choice and Rebecca’s first. But then I saw the facilities at Teesside like the editing suites in the University’s TV studio and changed my mind.”

The pair have worked on projects together, including a documentary about paralympic medal-winning athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson, who lives in Redcar. Tanni’s training partner, Sarah Loughran, was on the same degree course as the twin sisters.

Rebecca said: “Tanni’s success has encouraged so many people. We wanted to film someone with a high profile and Tanni was really nice. Rachel and I worked well together on the documentary.”

During the summer the twins have worked on projects in the University’s television studios, while searching for their first posts in the media, behind the cameras.

Rebecca added: “We’ve always been close, but we made a deliberate decision to live apart in Middlesbrough and have our own sets of friends. Being at University has enabled us to make friends from all over the world, from China, Russia and Sri Lanka.”

The twins are the daughters of Richard and Susan Gilbank.

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