Worksheet 4: The Host

Aim: To explore the role and impact of the host

Biographies:
Vernon Kay (Born 1974

English television presenter

Radio DJ
Former model
All Star Family Fortunes (2006present),
Beat the Star (20082009)
Splash! (20132014).
The Whole 19 Yards - ITV 2010,
Home For the Holidays - Channel 4 2011 Let's Get Gold - ITV mini-series 2012
1000 Heartbeats 2015 game show
He also presented his own BBC Radio 1
show between 2004 and 2012. Kay
currently presents his own show on
Radio X.

Richard Hammond (born 1969)

British presenter, writer, and journalist,

Co-hosted Top Gear - motoring
programme BBC Two - from 2002 until
2015
Brainiac: Science Abuse (20032006),
Total Wipeout (20092012)
Planet Earth Live (2012).
In 2016, Hammond was scheduled to be
presenting The Grand Tour television
series to be produced by W. Chump &
Sons. The show will be co-presented with
his former Top Gear co-hosts, Clarkson
and May, as an exclusive distributed via
Amazon Video to Amazon Prime
customers.

Phillip Schofield (born April 1962)

Ben Shephard (born 1974)

Co-hosts This Morning -ITV lifestyle

programme -, s since 2002.

English television presenter

journalist
Presenter on the now defunct breakfast
programme GMTV,
The Krypton Factor (20092010),
Tipping Point (2012present)

Dancing on Ice (20062014).

He currently presents these ITV game

shows:
The Cube (2009present),
All Star Mr & Mrs (2008present)
You're Back in the Room (2015present).

Ninja Warrior UK (2015present).

Since April 2014, Shephard has cohosted the ITV breakfast show Good
Morning Britain, alongside Susanna Reid
and Kate Garraway.

Have a look at the images of the four presenters: Vernon Kay, Richard
Hammond, Philip Schofield and Ben Shephard. What do they have in
common? What do some of them have in common? Is there an odd one out?

Have a look at the biographies. Are there any more similarities you can
point out from this information? Any other patterns emerging?

Fill in the grid what is the role of the host, i.e. what does the host
actually have to do; what do you think are the qualities of a good host?

Role of the host

- have excellent written and
oral communication and
presentation skills
- enjoy contact with an
audience and with people
in general
- have research and
interviewing skills,
complemented by an
inquisitive nature
- have awareness of media
law
- have a broad range of
interests, including current
affairs
- have knowledge of the
requirements of the
relevant health and safety

Qualities of a good host

- be able to handle stress
and make quick decisions
under pressure
- be able to communicate
effectively
- possess performance
skills and a clear voice for
broadcasting
- have an attractive, strong
personality, being naturally
outgoing and confident

legislation and procedures