Lively and distinctively husky voiced broadcaster Amanda Hussain is the new presenter of the BBC Asian Networks Weekend Breakfast show every weekend from 8am – 10am.
What has been your main inspiration in media?
Movies. Definitely. I grew up wanting to act then went onto study film at university with a view to being a filmmaker. Journalism was a small part of my degree and I was hooked, moving on to work as a film critic after graduation. Throughout my broadcasting career, film has always figured in some shape or form, whether begging my first news editor to send me to Cannes in my first showbiz correspondent job or making a BBC film taking director Anthony Minghella back to the Isle of Wight where he grew up.
Who was your childhood media hero?
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. I related to her free spirit and adored her style.
What has been your most exciting time in media so far in your career?
My first big break was presenting Network East when it was a live BBC show. I was so young and 'green' that the great and good of Bollywood far from phased me. I remember being blase and turning down Salman Khan and his large entourage's invitation to join them out on the Birmingham town to go to bed early and practice scripts. Thinking about it now, probably a sensible move.
Funnily enough, since then - years back - I have only worked in the mainstream media and it's only now at BBC Asian Network that I'm back on the Asian scene!
If you could do any job in media, what would it be?
My own weekend breakfast show on BBC Asian Network and I'm not kidding. This is such an exciting time for the station - and me. After being lost in TV land for a while, I had originally coveted a job at Radio Five Live. After badgering the controller Bob Shennan, he explained to me why Asian Network was relevant to me and about the exciting developments there. Honestly, there is some of the hottest media talent at Asian Network including News Editor Husain Husaini and my producer, Jonathan Aspinwall, not to mention Bob Shennan at the helm and some cracking new music shows. Oh and did I mention my weekend breakfast show?!
If you didn't get into media what career would of you been in today?
Top of wish list - film director. Also up there - a lawyer...I once got seduced by the cheesey film, A Few Good Men. In reality - tele-sales? I "give good phone" apparently. Think it's down to the deep voice, which incidentally, worried my mother as a child as I sounded like a young bear growling.
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