From techno raves and flirting with Betty White to Brazilian booty shorts, Denham Hitchcock has earned his place at the Ten news desk.
DNA: Congratulations on the newsreader role at Ten News+. How’s it going?
Denham Hitchcock: I’m enjoying it. I’ve worked in news and current affairs for 30 years, but I’ve never been a full-time presenter, so this is a new skill for me.
Your dad, Kevin, was also a Channel Ten newsreader.
Yeah. As a little fella, I’d watch him on the news. Walking into this building is like coming home.
Has he given you any good advice?
He gives me non-stop advice, whether I like it or not! God forbid I should get any grammar wrong! There’ll be a phone call while we’re still on air! Seriously, he told me to never do anything that would jeopardise my credibility. It’s the one thing a journalist cannot lose. People are good at seeing through bullshit.
Do you get a buzz presenting world news to the everyday Australian?
I get a buzz presenting our news at Ten, because it’s in-depth reporting. People message to thank me, because they were made aware of something they didn’t otherwise know.
These days, the news is particularly distressing. How do you keep your emotions in check?
I’ve been to war zones and seen people shot and killed. I’ve seen parents pull their kids out of earthquake rubble. My job is to be an observer, to take the audience there. I just focus on that. Some things get to me because the news can be harrowing. We can’t pretend that life is not dangerous and that we, as humans, are not fragile.
When we last spoke, you said the Boston bombings and the Philippines typhoon were big stories for you as a journalist; what about since then?
Trips to Iraq and Syria come to mind. I cover all sorts of things, so one moment I was being shot at by the Islamic State and four weeks later I was reporting from the Oscars’ red carpet. My life is a roulette table of stories.
You’ve covered Sydney’s Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras a few times. What are your fondest memories of those times?
The Mardi Gras floats are amazing, but the afterparties – whoa! They go long and hard into the night until the sun comes up. I have fond memories of being at the end of a beautiful night, having partied with friends, and walking out into the dawn.
On the dancefloor, what track do you find irresistible?
My clubbing days were in the hard house era and included anything with a dark, grinding baseline. I wouldn’t dance to ABBA or Kylie. I was getting sweaty with some serious music. It was the Frantic parties and Icebox on the roof top at Kings Cross. My favourite was Nite Time by Shark Boy.
What about a favourite female songstress?
Christina Aguilera has a great pop feel and a hell of a voice, which is what I like the most. Dirty is a great song.
You’ve conducted some quite flirtatious interviews over the years. Tell us what happened with Betty White.
I was told that Betty loved vodka, so I brought a bottle of Grey Goose to the interview. We were sitting quite close, and she was charming. At the end, she grabbed the vodka, leaned in and said, “Would you mind coming home and pouring it for me?” I almost said yes, but I had to get back to work. Otherwise, I would have another story about Betty White!
And Dolly Parton liked “Denham”?
Yeah, Dolly did like Denham! She said, “Denham has never looked so good.” Dolly’s such an effervescent personality. She said, “I’m like a show dog – I’ve been clipped, nipped and tucked!” And that was back in the day when people didn’t talk like that.
You live with your family on a boat. How does that compare to dry land?
I love being on the ocean. My days off are spent at the beach or in the sea, surfing, spear-fishing, swimming or foiling. Coming back to a land-based job and lifestyle has been a shock to the system.
You’re still in peak condition. You must have had a set of weights on the boat!
I’m a dad of two now, so there’s no time for the gym or exercise. However, sailing is quite physically demanding. I also have a ten-dollar stretch band and do 300 push-ups every morning. That’s basically it, plus surfing.
Do you have a grooming tip?
I get out of bed in the morning and shave. I do use a moisturiser, but I swim in the ocean a lot and I firmly believe that sunshine, saltwater and sweat cure almost everything.
What’s been your most memorable wardrobe malfunction?
I wore a kilt to a friend’s party. When wearing a kilt, you should do it properly without underwear, but doing that at a party can be confronting for others! Let’s just say there were a few moments where people saw more than they should have. I’d recommend putting on underwear.
At the beach, briefs or boardshorts?
I’m a boardies guy, but my wife is Brazilian, and Brazil has its own swimwear called sungas, which are kind of like booty shorts. All the guys wear them. If you wear boardshorts on the beach, people stare because you’re the odd one out. I’m quite used to them now and wear them in Australia, but mainly on the boat. I wouldn’t quite go to a Sydney beach in them!
Briefs, boxers or freeballing?
Cotton boxer briefs. Not those loose ones!
So, come summer, will you be wearing boxer briefs behind the desk? Or maybe Brazilian sungas?
[Laughs] Some surf shorts will do the trick.
10 News+ 6pm Sunday to Friday on 10.
Follow Denham on Instagram @denhamhitchcock
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