British kids like him too

Press, 1 November 1985, Page 9

British kids like him too

By Robin Charteris in London The former “Shazam!” host, Phillip Schofield, is making it big on 8.8. C. Television in London — and he owes it all to Television New Zealand and Radio Hauraki, he says. Now the sole host of Children’s 8.8. C., a one hour 40 minute daily programme beamed throughout Britain, he is becoming as well known to 10 million youngsters here as he was to the 750,000 New Zealand children who regularly watched his popular late afternoon TVNZ programme for three years. Schofield is adamant that had it not been for the opportunity and experience provided by TVNZ and Radio Hauraki he would not have landed the plum job he has.

“When I came here after three years with “Shazam’ it was really to prove to my self that I could make it in my home country. I came on the off chance of getting something rather than with a firm job in mind. “I did apply for a job with the 8.8. C. in Manchester not long after getting here in April, but I missed out and went to work for Capital Radio instead. Then it turned out someone else in the 8.8. C. saw my tapes and liked them and I was offered the job of being the 8.8.C.’s first children’s vision announcer.

“It was really a lucky break. I couldn’t have asked for anything better at this stage of my career,” said the engaging 23-year-old, still with a touch of Kiwi twang in his voice. “In a way I felt I was betraying New Zealand when I left because that’s where I was given a start, but I had to leave to prove I could do it here.”

Schofield, born in Manchester and brought up in Cornwall, did enter radio and television in Britain as a teenager, but in an unusual way.

“I had always wanted to work for the 8.8. C. and I’d been applying to them for a job since I was 10. I would typewrite my applications so they wouldn’t know how young I was. ,

“Eventually, 8.8. C. Radio offered me a job as booking clerk. I guess it was cheaper than replying to all my letters. For two years I booked outside broadcast units and props and things and learnt all about running programmes and I was also able to dabble in local radio a bit.

“Then, in 1981, I accompanied my parents to New Zealand. They had always wanted to go there for a few years and when my father’s job of French polisher came on to the list of approved immigrants, off we went.”

The young Schofield’s British accent initially denied him a job on an Auckland radio station and he thought seriously of returning to Britain. However, an Auckland neighbour saw the “Shazam!” job advertised and he applied.

"Surprisingly, as I was only 18 and had no television experience, I got it. For three years, from April 7, 1982, I had one of the most marvellous jobs I could have found. “When the Radio Hauraki chance came along as well, I was working seven days a week for more than a year, but I loved it. Both jobs allowed me to develop my love of music in the lighthearted manner I favour.”

Schofield hopes for more radio work in London as a sideline to his television show. Because he was accepted by the 8.8. C. its rival, Capital Radio, sacked him, but he is now seeking a part-time slot on Radio London in a show similar to his Hauraki one.

His television presence here is a first for the 8.8. C., which has never before used a live presenter for its children’s programmes. “Being a live show, timings have to be exact to the split second. We finish with the 8.8. C. clock ticking away the last few seconds to six o’clock and woe betide me if I’m under or over time.”

Schofield says he has never been so closely scrutinised by management before in his career. The only 8.8. C. presenter who faces the cameras without a script, he is videotaped and recorded daily, copies being examined in detail by his superiors. "I can understand this, though it puts a lot more pressure on me,” hesays. ‘lt has also improved • my style and timing vastly.” The 8.8. C., according to Schofield, is “stuffier” than its New Zealand counterpart and more professional. The intense competition almongst television channels and companies in Britain

helps lift standards. The entrance of private television to New Zealand will do nothing but good, he feels.

"Competition will pull TVNZ together and it will have to make a combined effort to beat the privates. I welcome it.”

Competition certainly helps front men such as himself, too. Now being paid on contract three or four times what he got for “Shazam,” he frankly admits the rewards are high when rivals are competing for audiences.

“Presenters in New Zealand are almost an afterthought, and they are financially rewarded that way. Here, the presenter is the programme and they pay accordingly. If they don’t, there are other companies who will approach you and managements know this. “Of course, there are drawbacks. Other people want your job; you’ve got to watch your back and keep on your toes.” Schofield, who receives up to 200 letters a week from youthful fans, has found young British girls more Srecocious than those in few Zealand. “It’s extraordinary what some of the young girls here write to me. They’re quite unrestrained.

“Back in New Zealand there’s no star structure and I like that side of things there much better.” . There is a lot. more of New Zealand he misses, too. Top of the list is his Auckland girlfriend, who may come to London later this year, his many friends, and the relaxed, outdoor way of life.

His brief return for Telethon 85 allowed him to catch up on New Zealand friends and news, but he does not envisage a permanent return in the future. “But who knows? I’ve never looked more than four or five months ahead. I’m getting involved in producing a bit now and there is also another 8.8. C. show along the lines of ‘I like That One: 2’ on the horizon for me. “And there’s radio too. I always want to stay involved with that because it means using different parts of your brain to create pictures and it keeps you in touch with people better than television does.

“But I don’t really know what the future holds. I’ve got a contract here until January and there’s already talk of a new one, so that’s certainly far enough ahead to look.”