A self-confessed music obsessive, Andrew once harboured
an intense desire to be a rock star himself but he fell
into a broadcasting career instead. After five years in
radio, he was snapped up by Channel [V] in 1999 to present
their television music request show, whatUwant.
whatUwant is broadcast live weekly and Andrew chats to
viewers from all over Australia, playing their favourite
music clips and putting them in touch with their musical
idols. He is thrilled by the fact that he gets paid to
talk about his first love - music.
That makes him an ideal co-host for Australian Idol. Andrew
G believes that Australian Idol is "one of the most exciting
and compelling television shows Australia has ever seen"
and is looking forward to presenting Australian Idol 2
"live", because that's what he does best. When he's not
hosting for Ten or [V], he can be found playing double-bass
for his ten piece country band at a venue near you in
Sydney.
||
James Mathison
James Mathison is the original lucky star. This former
high school captain won the gig of presenting Channel
[V]'s music news program, The Informer, after blitzing
an audition in front of the show's producers in 2000.
He has taken to television like a duck to water and on
The Informer, this musical brainiac delivers the most
up to date news on which musos are touring where and when.
An avid Simpsons and Space Ghost fan, James' favourite
musicians include Fugazi, Rage Against The Machine, Sleater
Kinney and Jeff Buckley.
He confesses to having a crush on Fiona Apple, Janet Jackson,
Kylie (who doesn't!), Adalita from Magic Dirt and Lil'
Kim. He is looking forward to co-hosting Australian Idol
with Andrew G again and expects the show to deliver a
spectacular array of talent.
||
Leah McLeod
To ensure that the search for our Australian
Idol is given the greatest possible chance of success
we entrust the show to the most talented people in their
respective fields. The production staff, the judges, the
musical director and vocal coach and, of course, the hosts,
sail the Australian Idol ship on a safe passage through
the choppy waters of this talent search.
And so it is with great pleasure that we welcome Leah
McLeod into the Australian Idol fold as the host of Inside
Idol.
This year Leah is a welcome addition to the hosting team
and brings with her years of experience, presenting both
on radio and television.
Leah began honing her skills with Channel 9 Adelaide in
1991 – the year Nirvana released Nevermind, Bryan
Adams had the biggest selling single of the year with
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You, and Dicko still lived
in the UK.
A gig as an announcer with the breakfast team on SAFM
Adelaide before long resulted in a move to the big smoke
(Sydney that is, not to work for a cigarette manufacturer).
Over the next few years Leah found a home at Triple M,
Channel [V], Network Ten, Nova FM and Channel 9, variously
as announcer, presenter, host, panellist, glamorous epitome
of excellence!
It’s this level of experience that makes Leah the
ideal candidate to take us behind the scenes on Australian
Idol. Whenever and wherever there is Idol news, drama,
gossip, tears and laughter worth reporting, you will find
Leah.
Get the inside scoop on Inside Idol with Leah McLeod,
starting Thursday August 5.
