High Steaks: Richard Wilkins on his legacy, regrets and retirement

Richard Wilkins isn’t used to being the one answering the questions, but in an exclusive interview he reflects on his past and reveals what’s in store for his future.

Richard Wilkins says he will know when it is time to retire – but the veteran showbiz editor is a way off from seeking a quieter life though.

Having celebrated a milestone 70th birthday in June, Wilkins has been at the top of his game for decades.

“I don’t know what I’d do,” Wilkins told The Sunday Telegraph when asked if he’d considered retirement.

“It’s not something I think about. I know some people who are my age who I can’t relate to, most of my friends are younger.”

He continued, laughing: “I suppose most of the population are younger. Look, I enjoy what I do. If the time comes when I think I’m losing it a bit or something, I’d hate to be a sort of parody of myself but I genuinely enjoy the work. I think I am actually at the top of my game.”

Richard Wilkins sits down with Jonathon Moran at Bathers' Pavilion, Mosman. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Wilkins is the long-time entertainment editor at the Today show and has worked in breakfast television for many years. He also hosts weekend radio on smoothfm, is producing a movie, and would like to write another book.

His memoir – Black Ties, Red Carpets, Green Rooms – was released in 2011.

Ironically, Wilkins started in the business on the other side of the game. He was an aspiring pop singer – going by the name Richard Wilde – in New Zealand who landed a plum gig in Australia on MTV, which is where his love of telling other people’s stories started.

“I feel blessed to have stumbled over that and, you know, I enjoy the broadcasting, enjoy the relationship with the viewers,” he said.

“I enjoy reporting on things and making sure the job is done right. I guess you can’t do it forever, but I haven’t really (thought of retirement).”

Wilkins sat down for lunch with The Sunday Telegraph at the iconic Balmoral Bathers Pavilion.

Richard Wilkins ate wagyu steak with potato and carrots. Picture: Justin Lloyd

We ate wagyu steak with sides of potatoes and grilled carrots. He sipped on a glass of white wine as we talked about life and career.

“I’m slightly anxious but mildly confident,” Wilkins said of the interview as we sat down, more comfortable asking the questions than being quizzed himself.

Having known Wilkins for decades myself, he doesn’t ever come across as anxious so it was a jarring comment for such a seasoned television identity.

“People say that to me quite a lot. Whenever I’m preparing to, not so much on air on television because I am familiar with that environment and have been doing it for a while, but every time I’m about to go on stage and host an awards ceremony or present something or make a speech or do something, I’m a bit of a can of worms,” he explained.

“I get anxiously prepared. I don’t want to stuff it up basically.”

He is undeniably one of the most recognisable people on Australian television, known by may by his nickname, ‘Dickie Wilkins’.

Richard Wilkins’ only regret is that he didn’t spend more time writing songs. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Wilkins is not one for regrets in life, with the exception of perhaps dedicating more time to writing songs.

“I don’t think I’d do too much differently, I was playing in bands and wanted to be an actor there for a while,” he said.

“I wish I’d kept writing songs because I thought some of them were starting to get quite good and the comeback to that is, ‘well it is never too late to stop’.

“But I had an opportunity that came along when television was in a great growth spurt and music television, MTV, came along and it was just a perfect combination of everything that I had done. I played in bands, I understood the music business, I’d been through university and teachers college, I studied music and English, and I was fascinated with pop culture. I’d had a couple of bits and pieces on telly and it was like it was the right time, right place, so I wouldn’t change too much. I’ve worked really hard and have enjoyed the majority of it and am pretty proud of most of what I’ve done over the years.”

Wilkins and girlfriend Mia Hawkswell.

Wilkins and son Christian on the red carpet.

Television, specifically entertainment and celebrity news, was a different game when Wilkins first started.

Of course there were no mobile phones then. It was pre-paparazzi, pre-internet, and he joked, “practically pre-electricity really”.

“Television was in a real growth stage there, they were creating new shows, reality television was coming and I think it was probably more opportunity,” he said.

“Now the cake’s not getting any bigger and there are more slices coming out of it. It is probably harder to get a toehold in there. It is not that it is better or worse, it is just different. People always ask me my advice for anyone wanting to get into the business and I always say, ‘get up early, stay up late and work your arse off’. Just be passionate, learn, grow, ask questions and don’t take shortcuts.”

Richard Wilkins and Molly Meldrum at Circular Quay in 1992. Picture: Samantha Randall

Wilkins started at Nine nearly four decades ago, on April 16, 1987, and has worked across shows from the Today show to Weekend Today, and Today Extra.

He is proud of his career and in particular, receiving and Order of Australia (AM).

“I was so proud, especially being a Kiwi. To get that little pat on the back for the charity work I’ve done over the years, it is just a little pin you put on your heart.”

Wilkins’ other big legacy is his five children. He became a father for the first time at the age of 18 when, working at an abattoir, he had a son to his then 16-year-old girlfriend. His son, Adam, was born with Down syndrome.

“18-year-old guy, 16-year-old girl, the first time I had sex with somebody else was on my 18th birthday and before I knew it I was married and the father to a lad with Down syndrome. Adam, I have referred to him as my rock many times, he really kept me anchored.”

Richard Wilkins and Jonathon Moran ate wagyu steak at Bathers' Pavilion, Mosman. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Wilkins is patron of Inala Disability Services, something he sees as a way of “giving back in some kind of convoluted way to the people that have enabled me to move on and do other things”.

“I don’t wring my hands and cry my eyes out because when we see Adam it is just wonderful. When you’re 18, I look at the kids of today who are 18 and they are so incredible. I could barely tie my shoelaces.”

Wilkins is also dad to Estella, Adam, Rebecca, Nicholas and Christian.

Wilkins has dated several high profile and successful women over the years, although prefers to keep his private life just that.

He is however currently dating respected make-up artist Mia Hawkswell, who is much happier behind the scenes than in front of the camera.

“She is definitely not chasing the paps but she can pick them out at 100 yards,” he laughed. “She is gorgeous, I feel very blessed.”