Q&A: Myf Warhurst, radio host, 43

Radio host Myf Warhurst on her worst on-air moment, an awkward celebrity encounter and finding life outside the ABC.

New gig: Myf Warhurst. Picture: James Geer

Years as a presenter on Triple J radio gave you lots of cred in the indie music world. But you’re a big dag too, aren’t you? I’ve always been into big, ballsy ballads. I grew up in the ’80s [in country Victoria], so all the stuff I loved then I was embarrassed about in the ’90s when I found out about “real” music. But you never lose your first love.

We also know you from TV (Spicks & Specks) and print... what’s your favourite medium? I love TV because it’s a time capsule. Print is the hardest thing for me – I don’t find writing easy, but when it’s finished I’m really happy. I love radio because it’s so immediate and doesn’t require a lot of production to explore your ideas. They all have their pluses and minuses; it’s stretching different muscles.

What are your fondest memories of Spicks & Specks? It was as fun as it seemed. Frank Woodley imitating someone’s wardrobe malfunction and pulling up his bathers so high – I’ve never laughed so hard in my life.

How did you find your stint on commercial radio, on Triple-M breakfast with Peter Helliar? We got the sack, so I didn’t excel there. But I don’t see it as a bad experience. It was great to see how the world works outside the ABC.

Tell us about your new afternoon gig on ABC local radio. I couldn’t believe my luck when they offered it to me: to do a national program on local radio that focuses on everything I love, which is music and art and culture. I was terrified at first.

What’s your best on-air blooper? I’ve had so many! There’s one where I was just starting, doing an overnight shift on Triple J. I was so nervous and I didn’t really know the technology, and in a building alone in the middle of the night … I left my mic on and sang along with an entire song to the whole country. I was mortified. Then I interviewed Keanu Reeves and I thought my leg was against the coffee table in the hotel room – he was too polite to tell me my leg was on his leg the whole time. He’s such a professional.

What keeps people listening to radio? I think it’s community, being part of a tribe. We all need that. Radio is voices in your head, so it’s really personal. And TV is changing – people don’t watch things together on one screen anymore.

You’re about to head to Lisbon for the Eurovision Song Contest. Is the glitter-fest something you grew up with? We didn’t have SBS where I grew up, but when I moved to Melbourne in the ’90s I was obsessed with Eurovision. There’s a raw enthusiasm there that you’re not allowed to have in any other part of your life. It’s like, right: we need to turn this up to 11, more key changes, more wind machines… it makes me happy that there’s a part of life where this is OK. So co-hosting the Australian broadcast is a dream job.

Who are you tipping to win this year? I have to tip Australia because Jess [Mauboy]’s song is amazing, she’s a powerhouse and she’ll bring so much to it. The thing with Eurovision is that it can flip. Last year Italy was supposed to win with their dancing gorilla, and instead a really quiet, thoughtful song with a lot of heart behind it won. No wind machines, no explosions. Who knows what the world needs this year?

Myf Warhurst is on ABC Radio across Australia, weekdays 12.30-2pm. The Eurovision Song Contest airs on SBS from May 9 to 13.