Twenty eight year old, Castlebar man, Simon Atkins is nervously awaiting his fate to see if the public have deemed him suitable to be the next presenter of TV3’s hit showbiz programme Xposé. Simon took time out from his current hectic schedule of photoshoots and national press interviews to speak to the Mayo Advertiser about how he came to audition for such a show and his “crazy” journey along the way.
Simon explained that working in the TV industry is something he always craved, even if he took the industrious route of completing a degree in computer science and then working for a bank in Dublin. However, with an intrinsic passion for working in the media along with an ambitious drive, Simon pursued his goal where he landed a job as a runner for The Panel. Thus began his media career and since then Simon was the “gadget guy” on 2TV; was the entertainment correspondent on Seoige and Ó Sé; moved to London where he worked as a freelance assistance producer for ITV and BBC, and ironically turned down a job offer to work on The Apprentice to instead take part in Apprentice type situations on Total Xposure to become the fifth presenter of Xposé.
Simon said that the past seven weeks have been a “crazy, intense experience” but has been great fun and he has come out from the process making new “great friends”.
On Tuesday night Simon, alongside fellow contestant Seán Munsanje, was put forward by judges Emma Ledden, Gerry Lundberg and Michael O’Doherty to the final. On Wednesday night Ruth O’Neill, Stuart McQuitty and Anthony Kelly were pitted against each other to win the public vote, with Ruth securing a coveted place in the final.
Simon, whose family still live in Castlebar, said that he hopes to come home soon for a visit, and if the public assist him by voting for him he will hopefully return to his hometown with a new job in tow!
Voting lines are now open until Tuesday. To vote for Simon text Simon to 53307 or call 1513 712 303 (text and call charges apply ).
