Trisha Goddard – The Oprah of the UK?

I had a previous post about Trisha Goddard in England, but the post disappeared. Where it went and how is a mystery to me. But Paula in London thought that Ms. Goddard should be included on the Black Women in Europe List of the Most Powerful Women in Europe, so I would like to re-post a profile of Trisha Goddard.

Here is Trish at work:

Trisha’s Biography
Source: Trisha Goddard Website

Trisha Goddard was a television unknown to British viewers when she arrived at Anglia in September 1998 to become ITV’s new Queen of Chat. She was immediately plunged into a hectic round of studio recordings for the five-days-a-week Trisha show. For the first few weeks, her feet hardly touched the ground. But the public took her to their hearts and her show has been a ratings winner from the outset.
Despite her anonymity in Britain, Trisha was ideally qualified for her new role. She had lived and worked in Australia for 13 years as a TV reporter/presenter and government advisor on mental health.

She is also trained in Conflict Resolution, a distinct asset when dealing with guests on her show who were at loggerheads. She had more than her share of personal problems in Australia – two broken marriages, a seriously ill baby, and her sister’s suicide all of which culminated in Trisha herself suffering a nervous breakdown.

Born, the eldest of four girls, Trisha was in London in December 1957 and spent a few months of her childhood in Norfolk. Her (step) father, a psychiatric nurse, came from Narborough, near Swaffham. She went to a school in Heacham and still has family in the county. She was brought up and educated in Tanzania, East Africa and Surrey. In her teens she attended grammar school in Chertsey, Surrey, passing 10 O levels. But she quit sixth form to play keyboards with a girl band called Eve on a tour of Germany. Eventually, the band split up and Trisha returned to England.

By now she had the travel bug and worked for Gulf Air as a stewardess for five years, based in Bahrain. In 1985 she emigrated to Australia with her new husband, Robert – whom she met on a plane and who became Australia’s head of UNICEF, the United Nations children’s Organisation. But the marriage lasted just a few months. Trisha subsequently discovered – but only after his death some years later – that Robert had died of Aids.

By that time she had a new partner, Mark, and a baby daughter. She took an Aids test and faced an agonising wait until the family was given the all clear.

Trisha first worked in Public Relations in Australia. Shortly after, her television career took off. as a guest presenter for Channel Ten’s children’s show, Off the Dish. She then when on to become a news and current affairs reporter for SBS TV in 1986 and in the following year became a popular presenter with Australia’s Play School for ten years. During this time, she also landed the prestigious job of presenter on ABC’s primetime current affairs programme, 7.30 Report – so becoming the first black anchorwoman on Australian TV.

Trisha left the 7.30 Report to establish and present the prime time show Everybody and soon afterwards started of her own production company, devising, producing and presenting over 400 programmes. For years she led a hectic, high-profile celebrity life. But personal heartache seemed to shadow her.

Read the rest of Trisha Goddard’s biography.

Truly no one can compare to Oprah’s success and the media empire she built. But it is good to see a sister with a high profile television show in England who openly shares the highs and lows of her life, is dedicated to helping others, and is clearing a path for others to follow.