While the life of a TV presenter might, on the surface, seem glamorous, as CBeebies host Ben Cajee put it, “It’s occasionally glorious – and often brutal.” The glorious bits can include travelling the world, meeting amazing people, getting invited to glitzy events and, in some cases, making a real difference by leading the conversation on important issues. But it also requires a lot of hard work and a thick skin.
To those outside the industry, the world of television can look like a closed circuit, only open to those with connections. But breaking into the industry and becoming a TV presenter is possible. Here’s how.
A TV presenter is someone who hosts or presents television programmes. They might have a particular specialism, like cooking or sports, or present across a wide range of different subjects. For many in the industry, TV presenting is just one part of how they make a living. Some also write articles, present radio shows, act, run businesses, compere events, record voiceovers and appear at trade shows. Those who present on one particular subject, such as health, likely have further work in that field beyond presenting, such as being a doctor.
First and foremost, presenters need to be engaging. You should be someone that audiences want to tune in to watch. That usually means having bags of charisma. You also need to be articulate, personable and, particularly if working in live TV, someone who can think on your feet. Since you’ll likely be conversing with all sorts of people on camera, it also helps to be naturally curious and a good interviewer.
As well as presenting skills, you’ll need to develop the ability to survive, and thrive, in a very competitive industry. That means being good at building connections, selling yourself, and hustling for work.
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There is not a single guaranteed route into a career in TV presenting; a lot of it is down to luck, perseverance, and being in the right place at the right time. Take David Attenborough, for example. He got his big break while filming in Sierra Leone in 1954 for the programme Zoo Quest. The zoologist who was due to present the series fell ill, so Attenborough – a producer at the time – stepped in to replace him. Still, there are a few things you can do to increase your odds of success:
1. Start behind the scenes
National treasure Dermot O’Leary started his TV career as a runner (an entry level job behind the scenes, carrying out small tasks to ensure the production runs smoothly). And Food Unwrapped host Kate Quilton did a series of work placements during her university holidays – including at the BBC, ITV West, and various production companies and local radio stations – before landing her first gig as a reporter on a regional ITV show called Soccer Night. Working behind the scenes in television not only gives you access to the kinds of people who might take a chance on you, but it also means that when you (hopefully!) land that much-wanted presenting gig, you’ll have a pretty good idea of how filming works and what is required from you.
2. Become a journalist
Transitioning from journalist to presenter is a well-worn path. Susanna Reid started as a news producer at BBC Radio Bristol, travel presenter Simon Reeve worked in investigative journalism at the Sunday Times, and Jeremy Clarkson was writing about cars for publications including the Shropshire Star and Performance Car when he got his first break in TV. You don’t always need formal training to get into journalism, but it can help you land that much-coveted first job. When selecting a course, look for those accredited by the industry-recognised National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).
3. Host a radio show or podcast
Without any presenting experience, it’s tough to break into TV. One way around it is to start in the less lucrative and arguably less glamorous world of radio. Volunteering for a hospital, community, or university radio station can be a good way to build up experience and recordings to show a prospective producer or TV channel. Alternatively, you could hop on the podcast wagon, choosing your niche and recording episodes about a topic that fascinates you.
4. Become a specialist
Many TV presenters find their way onto the screen through another career. The van Tulleken brothers are doctors, Ella Al-Shamahi (presenter of Tutankhamun: Secrets of the Tomb) is a paleoanthropologist, and Mary Beard is a classicist who started presenting TV shows in her fifties while working as a Cambridge professor. Elsewhere, Arlene Phillips might be a household name thanks to her role as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing, but it was her accolades as a leading choreographer that secured her place on the judging panel.
Your specialism doesn’t have to be glamorous so much as interesting, relatable, and helpful. Think of former professional cleaner Kim Woodburn, who co-presented the popular show How Clean Is Your House? As a specialist, your first appearance on TV might be as an interviewee or in a short piece to camera. Still, these moments can help get you onto the radar of development teams and channel commissioners looking for someone with your particular knowledge or skill set to front a new show.
5. Go on reality TV
When deciding on a presenter, programme makers often look for someone who is already well-known and popular with audiences. That’s why high-profile actors, sports people, comedians, and influencers often land plum presenting gigs. But if you’re an unknown, one way to boost your profile is to get cast on a reality show. Popular TV stars like Alison Hammond, Rylan Clark, Stacey Solomon, and Scarlett Moffatt all became known to viewers through reality TV and have subsequently used that fame to launch successful careers as presenters.
6. Raise your online profile
Unless programme makers are looking for someone with a niche area of expertise, they usually search for new talent online. This means that you need an open, easily findable presence on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok. Producers also look for evidence that proves you are good on camera, have expertise on a particular subject, or can gather an audience. So, make sure you have some videos speaking passionately about whatever it is you’re interested in on your social media feed. Cultivate an online brand to boost your chances of becoming the go-to person for a particular subject, whether that’s money-saving tips, fitness, or budget travel.
7. Create a showreel
It helps to create a showreel that you can share with potential employers. It doesn’t need to be professionally produced; the main thing is to showcase your personality and the kind of presenting you’d like to do. In other words, if your heart is set on being a children’s TV presenter, then your showreel should reflect that. For example, you could mock up some Blue Peter-type scenarios and get a friend to record you.
8. Get some training
There are a number of courses out there that can help teach you the basics of television presenting. Among those worth checking out are TV-presenting coach Glenn Kinsey, Aspire TV Presenting, and The Presenter Studio. There’s no need to invest a huge amount of time and money; a short weekend course could even be sufficient. These courses can also be a shortcut to creating a showreel since most will include a professionally produced video as part of the package.
9. Get an agent
An agent can help you secure work, and there are a number of talent agencies that exclusively represent presenters, such as Champion Talent, David Foster Management, and Talent4Media. You can usually find details on an agency’s website about how to apply for representation and whether it’s currently accepting new clients.
10. Believe in yourself
The best skill you can develop to navigate this highly competitive industry is confidence. As Quilton said in an interview with Cosmopolitan, “Be confident, be bold, and believe it. It’s the only way that you’re going to make it happen.”