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Digger asks actress and ex-CBBC presenter Josie D'Arby a few questions. 

 

Josie D'Arby

 

Some images courtesy of and © copyright www.rexfeatures.com

 

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Digger: What was your early background?
 
Josie: I grew up in the town of Newport in South Wales. Well, actually it’s a city now and they’re investing a lot more time and money in developing it. I had a great childhood and it was a superb place to grow up in my experience. But then I was lucky enough to know what I wanted to do from an early age and get focused on it. As with all urban cities, it has expanded and there are, of course, issues and problems, but there are wonderful people there with brilliant senses of humour, and that’s why I love it.
 
Digger: At what point in your life did you decide to get into entertainment and who were your inspirations for your choice of career?
 
Josie: I knew I wanted to be in television very early. I originally wanted to be a gymnast but as soon as I discovered performance and the school play that was it for me. I was super-focused as a kid and as a result I started working in TV when I was 14 and did several shows as a presenter and also as an actor and radio plays all over the country, but mainly in London. I was inspired largely by ‘the kids from Fame’, and Eddie Murphy, Oprah and the Cosby show. Also, Different Strokes… shame to say but back then the only prominent blacks on TV were Americans. So a lot of my influence was from that side of the pond. Everyone needs a role model whose journey they can relate to. I think the movie Back to the Future had a big impact on me too. I was so blown away by it. I wanted to, in some way, be a part of that world, so as soon as I did my A’ levels I packed myself off to RADA.
 
Digger: During your time as a children’s presenter did you have any surprises at the how children reacted to you and the shows you presented, and what are your best memories of that time? 
 
Josie: I have nothing but fond memories of my time as a children’s presenter. I was very young and it certainly is a wonderful way to spend those years. I had a lot of freedom and was working with people who had a similar sense of humour and sense of fun to me, so we could create together. The joy of kids' TV then was that there was hours of it and it was live and so your content could be dreamt up at 9am and on screen by tea-time. And then the next day, new ideas. It was brilliant and, of course, I was young and a student, so had something of a double life. Part broke student working my butt off, and then, in the holidays, it would be premieres and parties and free clothes. I cannot complain. And I adored working with the kids at the time. I did kind of go through a phase of being too cool for my own good, but by then I was in youth TV and that is a different thing. But I loved working with the kids at first, but then you know, after a long period of time of being a human climbing frame at kids' parties, and being mobbed by parents urging their kids to sit on your lap, you know, you kind of go, "enough already, I want to play with the grown ups." Some kids' presenters are born to it and can do it forever - it wasn’t like that for me. I had my eye on the adults and was always throwing in references and gags just for the folks…. One time I was at a function and this lady came up to me and said "Josie I loved you on kids TV - one time you were reading the birthday cards and I was watching with my 2 year old … and you made a joke about a phantom pregnancy, and I laughed so hard" … it was encounters like that I’d love.
 
Digger: Can you tell us about your involvement with the Red Cross?
 
Josie: Yep, I always wanted to work with them. I just really believe in what they do and, as things stand, thank God for organisations like them and the people that sustain them. Like a lot of people, I spend a lot of time thinking about global problems and individual happiness and in working with the Red Cross you actually get to help out. I prefer to be as hands-on as possible, so would rather work in their shops or go to Africa and pack food parcels and visit people. When you’re on TV, you get asked to do this sort of thing, but mostly it's people from non public professions. I’ve honestly met some of the best people in the world through working with the Red Cross …
 

 

     

 
Digger: What have been the funniest /strangest things to happen to you live on air?
 
Josie: For the first five years of my career, 90% of what I did was live, so any number of things have happened. From having abuse shouted at me during a live phone in, (well that only happened once). Other than that, some of the finest moments of my life have been live in front of the nation. Well, the finest moments at that point.
  
Digger: How terrifying is it to first appear on live TV in front of millions of people and do you ever get used to it?
 
Josie: Live TV has never scared me. It’s the biggest thrill, live anything - theatre, speaking etc. is my buzz. I have no fear of it whatsoever, because I’m not being fake, because we’re all human beings aren’t we, and I don’t sweat the small stuff. And as someone once said, TV isn’t watched by millions, its watched by 3 people sat in their living room, willing you not to give them a reason to turn over. Viewed like that, its not so scary. I’m not saying I’m not nervous beforehand. Yep, I get that once or twice, but never during the show. That’s the bit I love the most. Other things make me nervous, but not doing my job.
 
Digger: You record under a different name why is this and where did name come from? 
 
Josie: I don’t record any more. I had a fantasy that I would write some songs and sing them to some people in a room who might get something out of hearing them. That happened - I opened for Skye from Morcheeba in London and it was one of the finest hours ever, and I loved it … then I moved on. I don’t have a hunger for it. It’s a real con to always want something other than you have sometimes … so I am very happy with being a presenter.
 
Digger: Top Of The Pops is, in my view unfortunately, a thing of the past. What are your views on this?
 
Josie: Well it's literally had its day. It only comes on at Christmas now. I am so glad I got to host it so many times, as really it was on my list of things to do and was a brilliant time. But the music industry has changed, and so has music TV. It’s the end of an era.
 
Digger: How did you land the role of Pealy in look around you what did you think of the scripts at first and was it as much fun to make as to watch?

 

Josie as Pealy in Look Around You, with 
Peter Serafinowicz, Olivia Coleman and Robert Popper

 

Josie: I auditioned for Pealy, and I thought the script was brilliant. I really got it, and really wanted the job. Pete and Popper (the writers) are very cool, and so they worried about me because Olivia Coleman (who played Pam) is also very cool, and my background wasn’t quite up their street. But I knew I was right for Pealy and I could do it, because I understood what they were doing and was on their wavelength 100%. So they saw me a few more times then gave it to me. We had such an amazing time making that show. We’d all crack up all the time, it was like we were all getting paid to be so stupid and loved it. Obviously something like that is hit and miss but really those that love it, rreallllllly love it and that’s very gratifying.
 
Digger: Spoons was quite risky. What do you think of the way boundaries and taboos are broken these days on TV?
 
Josie: Well Spoons is very risky, but it did come on late on a Friday night and I think the DVD has a 15 rating or higher, so they were very responsible. Maybe there’s a place for boundaries and taboos etc. etc., but I don't think spoons was shocking for the sake of it.  I think it made some painfully accurate comments about modern relationships and made  them brilliantly. I don’t think it was offensive; it was just adult.
 
Digger: When you appear in dramas such as Mersey beat and casualty how much of you goes into the character, if at all?
 
Josie: Well, I would if it was appropriate. But I have to say I have never ever played a character that had any of my traits or thoughts. I have made a living as a drama actress playing people I have absolutely zero in common with; zero I promise you. When I auditioned for Mersey Beat, I arrived on a bike and the producers, who were wonderful people, loved that and so they wrote it in that my character cycles. And that truly was the only thing we had in common.

 

    

 

 
Digger: You like markets. Are you a collector?
 
Josie: I love markets. I love the graft. I love the banter. I love the crumpled notes changing hands and sense of community. But I don’t collect anything, that would involve commitment and that’s not my bag. I like turning up wily nilly, when the mood takes and buying or selling and I’m very fair weather. I couldn’t do it in less than 25 degrees heat - that would be no fun.
 
Digger: Now that Parky has gone is there room for a female chat show host? And what makes a good interviewer?
 
Josie: You know what, Parky was brilliant and those old school boys - him and David Frost back in the day, Well, their interviews were really worth watching. But I think celebs were more interesting back then and less guarded than now that they have paparazzi going through their bins and trying to take pics of them naked. It's all changed and those real stars don’t want you in their deep business. And everyone else is just selling something. I think the art of the good interview requires an intelligent, quick wit and a keen sense of a good story and someone who is never intimidated or thrown. But it also requires those quality guests … they still exist. Parky's final show was proof of that , and its very watchable … maybe it won't pull in viewers by the zillions in the current climate. I speak only for myself when I say I appreciate the fine art of the good interview with a worthy interviewee but for all that I think Dame Edna is my personal fave.

 

Oasis

 

Digger: What are your top five favourite albums?
 
Josie: Truly, I can't answer that, because I have such scattered tastes, but here’s 5 or 6 that are definitely in my top 100. A-Ha – Scoundrel Days, Justin Timberlake – Futuresex Love Sounds, Nina Simone – any best of compilation, any Jeff Buckley and Henry Mancini Moon River … Oasis Wonderwall is a truly wonderful song…
 
Digger: What gives you most pleasure, acting, presenting, music, drama, comedy, and what would you be doing if you weren’t doing these things?
 
Josie: Anything well written is a pleasure and privilege. Case in point the vagina monologues gives me a huge amount of pleasure to perform, but ultimately I’m a presenter and that’s what I love.
 
Digger: If you could arrange a dinner party and invite any guests, living or dead, real or fictional from any era, who would you chose and why?
 
Josie: Ahhh, Chris Rock, Viktor. E. Frankl, Morten Harket  (circa '88), Oprah, Jeff Buckley, Gandhi and Martin Luther King.
 
Digger: What makes you laugh, what makes you sad, what make you angry and what makes you hopeful?
 
Josie: Chris Rock makes me laugh …distance makes me sad ... inequality makes me angry ... the fact that everyone has a soul makes me hopeful. 
 

 

 

Digger: What appeals to you about reporting in the west country?
 
Josie: Real people, real stories; unearthing something that may have a profound  or meaningful effect on someone. Beautiful countryside, getting stuck in, challenging authority on behalf of the everyman. Working with a dedicated team of lovely people who never put you under any pressure and very much work with you. So much of what I get to do is just up my street. And, of course, the variety.
 
Digger: Are you nostalgic or do you tend to look forward?
 
Josie: I am neither. It's all about the moment you’re in isn’t it? Well that’s the theory …
 

 

 

 

 

Digger: Please describe yourself in a few words.
 
Josie: I am a sphere, which is to say if you know the book Flatlands you’ll know what I mean… I am a sphere.

Digger: What are your biggest accomplishments to date and what would you still like to achieve?

Josie: My biggest accomplishment is in staying flexible and resourceful and positive. And being fair to everyone and giving my best in any situation fully. And in always at least trying. I don’t really make plans; that’s not a principal, its just never really been the way its worked for me. But if I can be truly happy from here on in, and contribute something meaningful and significant one day to human happiness or just my own and those I love then that would be job done… other than that I want what everyone wants, a satisfying job, relationships and home.