Denham Hitchcock is reading the news on Channel Ten, and to quote Dolly Parton, Denham has never looked so good!
Congratulations on the new newsreader role at Ten News+. How’s it going?
Denham Hitchcock: Great! I’m enjoying it very much. I’ve been working in news and current affairs for thirty years, but I’ve never been a full-time presenter, so this is a new skill for me. In the past, I’ve filled in here and there with daytime bulletins and some work on Sunrise, but this is the first time I’m front and centre at the desk. I enjoy continuously learning in this industry.
It’s quite fitting, as your dad, Kevin, was also a Channel Ten newsreader.
Yeah, he was a news reporter and fill-in newsreader, right here at Channel Ten! When I was a kid, I had all the promo stickers on my bunk bed, and I could sing the theme song. As a little fella, I’d watch him on the news, so for me, walking into this building each day is like coming home.
Denham Hitchcock
What’s the best piece of advice he’s given you?
He gives me non-stop advice, whether I like it or not (Laughs). God forbid I should get any grammar wrong! Use ‘fewer’ for numbers and ‘less’ for quantity! If I get that wrong, there’ll be a phone call while we’re still on air! But seriously, he told me to never do anything that would jeopardise my credibility. It’s the one thing you cannot lose and a journalist should hold onto. People need to know what you stand for and see that you believe in it. People are good at seeing through bullshit, and at the heart of being real is one’s credibility.
“The Mardi Gras floats are amazing, but the afterparties – whoa!”
Do you get a buzz from presenting world news to the everyday Australian?
I get a buzz from presenting our news here at Ten, because it’s a very different style of news. It’s in-depth reporting and original stories. It’s not just the smaller, hyperlocal issues, but topics that affect day-to-day life. People at home message to thank me, because they were made aware of something they didn’t otherwise know, and that’s very cool.
These days, the news is particularly distressing. How do you keep your emotions intact?
I’ve always been good at separating my job from not taking on the emotions of the subjects or events that I cover. I’ve been to war zones and seen people shot and killed, and I’ve seen parents pull their kids out of the earthquake rubble. But my job is to be an observer. To take the Australian audiences there and put them in my shoes. I just focus on that. There are some things that do get to me, because news can be harrowing, but we need to know these things. We can’t pretend that life is not a dangerous place and that we as humans are not fragile. We need to accept that and therefore enjoy the good times, because they won’t always be there.
Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace
When we last spoke, you said the Boston Bombings and the Philippines typhoon were standout moments for you as a journalist. Have there been any others since?
Yes, two trips to Iraq and Syria come to mind. As a general reporter, I cover all sorts of things, so one moment I was getting shot at by Islamic State and four weeks later I was reporting from the Oscars red carpet. The beautiful thing about this job is that my life is on a wild roulette table of stories. They thrust me into places I never thought I’d be.
Our last interview was also pre-same sex marriage. Look how far we’ve come!
Oh, I know, and it was ridiculous that it didn’t happen sooner. What a great celebration to finally have same-sex marriage, but there’s also that realisation of, “Why did it take so long?!”
“What a great celebration to finally have same-sex marriage, but why did it take so long?!”
You’ve covered the Mardi Gras a few times. What’s your fondest memory of those times?
The Mardi Gras floats are amazing, but the afterparties – whoa! They go long and hard into the night until the sun comes up. I have fond memories of being at the end of a beautiful night, having partied with friends, and walking out into the dawn.
When you’re at a club, what dancefloor song do you find irresistible?
My clubbing days were in the hard house era and included anything with a dark, grinding baseline. I wasn’t the type who would dance to ABBA or Kylie. I was getting sweaty on the dancefloor with some serious music. In my day, it was the Frantic parties and Icebox Roof Top at Kings Cross. My favourite would be Nite Time by Shark Boy.
What about a favourite female songstress?
I always liked Christina Aguilera. She’s got a great pop feel and a hell of a voice, which is what I like the most. She really cut through with that voice. Dirty is a great song, and so is the music video!
You’ve interviewed many famous people over the years, including some flirtatious moments with Dolly Parton and Betty White. Can you recall those for us?
I was told that Betty loved vodka, so I brought a bottle of Grey Goose to the interview. We were sitting quite close, and she was charming as always. At the end of our chat, she grabbed the vodka, leaned in and said, “Would you mind coming home and pouring it for me?” I was shocked and almost said yes, but I had to get back to work. Otherwise, I would have another story about Betty White!
One she could have told to Blanche, Dorothy and Sophia!
(Laughs) Oh yes! She’d have a Golden Girls story of her own!
And Dolly Parton liked ‘Denham’?
Yeah, Dolly did like Denham! She said, “Denham has never looked SO good”. (Laughs) What an amazing career. Dolly’s such an effervescent personality, but also very down to earth. She said, “I’m like a show dog – I’ve been clipped, nipped and tucked!” She was so open about everything, and that was back in the day when people didn’t talk like that.
So, what about Denham flirting with a male celebrity? Who would be your bromance?
If I don’t say Richard Reid, it’ll break his heart! I’ve always said to him, “If I were going to turn for anyone, Richard, it would be for you!” To which he said, “Promise me, Denham, that you will always say that!” So, if I ever go to the other side, Richard’s the man!
“Betty White grabbed the vodka and said, “Would you mind coming home and pouring it for me?”
You’ve spent quite a few years living with your family on a boat. How does that compare to dry land?
I love being on the ocean. All my days off are spent at the beach or in the sea, surfing, spearfishing, swimming, or foiling. I absolutely love it. So, coming back to a land-based job and lifestyle has been a shock to the system.
You’re still in peak condition. You must have had a set of weights on the boat!
(Laughs) I’m a dad of two now, so there’s no time for the gym or exercise. However, spending time on our boat is very hands-on, as sailing is quite physically demanding. I also have a ten-dollar stretching band and do 300 push-ups every morning. That’s basically it, plus surfing.
Do you ever get mistaken for someone else?
I get asked all the time if I’m Aaron Eckhart, who played Two-Face in The Dark Knight. I still get asked to this day. I think we have the same chin!
Do you have a grooming tip?
The studio makeup girls think this is something I severely lack! They ask me about my skincare regimen, and it’s simply getting out of bed in the morning and shaving. I do use a moisturiser, but I swim in the ocean a lot and I firmly believe that sunshine, saltwater and sweat cure almost everything.
What’s been your most memorable wardrobe malfunction?
I once wore a kilt to a friend’s party. People say that when wearing a kilt, you should do it properly without underwear, but doing that at a party can be confronting for others! Let’s just say there were a few moments where people saw more than they should have. I’d recommend putting on underwear.
Matt Myers with Denham Hitchcock at the TEN Sydney studios.
Do you ever secretly wear shorts behind the news desk?
(Laughs) Not yet, because it’s been winter. But come summer, you’ll see me…well, you won’t see me in my shorts, because I’ll be sitting behind the desk.
At the beach, do you wear Speedos or boardies?
I’m a boardies guy, but my wife is Brazilian, and Brazil has their own version of Speedos called sungas, which are kind of like booty shorts. I’ve been to Brazil twice, and all the guys wear them. In fact, if you wear shorts on the beach, people will stare because you’re the odd one out. As they say, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” So, when in Brazil, I wear sungas. I’m quite used to them now and wear them in Australia too, but mainly on the boat. I wouldn’t quite go to a Sydney beach in them!
And underwear – briefs, boxer briefs or freeballing?
Cotton boxer briefs. Not those loose, flowing ones!
So, boxer briefs behind the desk for summer – or maybe the sungas?
(Laughs) I reckon some surf shorts will do the trick.
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