Fifi Box reveals how she orchestrated ‘best friend’ Brendan Fevola’s radio career
As an FM radio host and an ex-footy star, Fifi Box and Brendan Fevola, on the surface, have little in common. But after swinging him the gig of a lifetime, Fifi now calls Fev her “best friend”. This is why.
Confidential
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Broadcaster Fifi Box has paid tribute to the power of Brendan Fevola and the way he keeps winning over audiences on their top-rating radio show.
Box, who co-hosts Fox FM’s breakfast show Fifi, Fev and Byron with Fevola and Byron Cooke, told Confidential how the unlikely duo have bonded since becoming work mates.
“I only knew Fev the footballer, but I didn’t know him well,” she says.
“When he went into the jungle (and won I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here in 2016), I saw a different side to Fev. I was enamoured with him immediately.
“I said: ‘This guy is gonna win because he’s a firecracker, his personality is phenomenal, but he’s a really good guy.
“As soon as he got out of the jungle, I said to my boss: ‘Quick, get him in.’ It was such a nice fit from the moment he was on our show, and he’s become one of my best friends.
“If you told me 15 years ago, when he was playing footy, ‘Fev will be your best friend,’ I would be, ‘No way!’”
Box said Fev has helped their show achieve top ratings because “he has a heart of gold.” She added: “Everybody loves Fev because he is authentic and genuine.”
Box and Cooke attended an event celebrating Fox FM and Triple M earlier this week. Fevola was not at the event due to a family matter.
The two radio networks will mark 40 years on air later this year.
“I grew up listening to (Peter) ‘Grubby’ (Stubbs) and Dee Dee (Dunleavy) on Fox FM as I was being driven to school,” Box said.
She started her radio life at 3GG in Warragul.
“Day one was a disaster. I got pulled off air on my the first day because I left the microphone on while a song was playing and I rang my boyfriend and had a big fight,” Box said.
“They sent me off to the music department to program songs for a while.”
But Box, who is a mother to two young children, says she strives to represent her authentic self on the airwaves, to inspire girls and women.
“In this world of social media and Instagram, we’re always showing our best side, and our best bikini body. But it’s not real and it doesn’t make you happy.
“I also want to bring attention to parts of our community that are struggling and need help.
“That’s my true self,” Box said.
“The moment you’re not real, it doesn’t work.”
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