Eric Johnson Online

On September 3rd 2007, I nervously entered the world of morning television. After several meetings with production executives and a screen test the Friday before, it was a hectic week where I had every intention of starting work on the Monday in my then job as a producer for a mobile company. They weren’t very happy about that!

Little did I know it was a job application that would mean so much. In the final interview, they told me they wanted me until at least the following Easter for continuity… but low and behold, I’ve now been on The Wright Stuff for four glorious years – longer than they or I had envisaged!

I still remember my first day… waking up with a bounce thinking YEAH! I’m going to be on TV later! It wasn’t long until the excitement turned to nerves and the PA in the gallery (Screachy lady as Matthew often refers to her now) started the countdown. Five… Four… Three… Two… One… cue titles! And here’s what happened in the following seconds:

I was a nervous wreck! It was a miracle words could leave my mouth let alone I could hold the mic without dropping it.

So, four years have passed and I’ve witnessed some impressive moments and met some awesome guests. Who could forget the time George Michael rang to set the record straight about his split from Kenny Goss? Or when Katie Price called Matthew to defend her decision not to name her rapist? Not to mention the time a window cleaner decided to drop in on the panel during the paper review.

But one of the best parts of the job has to be meeting the special guests, many who I’ve been watching on TV for years! Who could possibly turn down a photo opportunity with Harold Bishop from Neighbours, or Jimmy Osmond? Here are my favourite snaps over the years…

I’m now very proud to have reached and passed the milestone that is the longest running co-presenter in the show’s history… and I believe, the longest serving co-presenter on Channel 5. Although I don’t officially have the paper work to back that up!

Here are my highlights from the past four years… and hopefully there are many more to come.