n Toby Anstis
by LOUISE MACKENZIE
AS the age old adage goes, good things come to those who wait. And Toby Anstis has certainly worked hard for his dream job as a radio presenter.
Previously a children’s TV presenter, reality star, and game show host, Toby has had to go the long way round to land his dream job as a radio presenter on Heart FM – but he’s loving every minute of it.
“There was never anything about how to be a DJ when I went to the careers office at school,” Toby explains.
“I did hospital radio when I was 14 and I fell into TV and then I had the opportunity to do radio presenting.” And next month Toby will be bringing his passion for the airwaves to Essex, following the re-branding of Essex FM.
As of 22 June, Essex FM will become part of the Heart FM radio company, and Toby’s mid-morning show will be broadcast across the county straight after Martin and Su’s breakfast show.
So how does he feel about being heard across the county? “I love Essex and I used to visit a lot to go clubbing. My ex also lived in South Woodford, so we used to come down a lot,” Toby, who is originally from Northampton, tells me.
“It’s going to be great coming on after Martin and Su because they are legends. They will do the banter on the way to work and the travel and by the time I’m on people will be settled at work.”
Indeed, Toby is hoping to bring a sense of excitement back to the workplace this summer, with a mixed play list and celebrity guests.
“I’ll be playing the best variety of music, plus there’ll be fantastic competition prizes and giveaways, not to mention all the latest showbiz news.
“I will also bring a lot of guests to the show, Take That want to come to promote their new tour, and I have known them for years. Alesha Dixon also wants to come on, and The Script.
“The station will keep that local feel but I will slot in, and bring the celebrities and competitions, and a real mixture of music.”
But, having shown the nation his rapping skills on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! in 2006, Toby narrowly missed out on the opportunity to pursue a music career himself.
“After the jungle I got a phone call from David Guest saying ‘we’ve got to release the rap it’s going to be massive!’ I just said ‘you’re joking!’ and he hung up on me because he was serious. We didn’t talk for three months and then we met up. We still joke about it now!” he laughs. And Essex girls will be pleased to hear that Toby is ready to settle down again, following the break up of his two and a half year relationship with ex Stephanie Stewart.
“After I broke up with Stephanie, we were both heart broken but especially me,” he explains.
“I think you have to be completely over someone before you can move on and I think I am now! I am hoping it will be the summer of love – and who knows it might be someone in Essex!
“I think Essex girls are the best looking – when I DJ in the county I always think so.”
Don’t miss Toby when he presents the mid-morning show on Heart (formerly Essex FM), Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm, from Monday 22 June 2009.
Heart will be available on 96.3 and 102.6 FM and online at www.heart.co.uk.