Conrad Anderson

Yeah I suddenly walked into a TV presenting job with the click of a finger… I worked in Sainsbury’s, for EDF Energy, the water board, call centres, all from age 17, just to get money. I didn’t care what job I did, I just needed to support myself. I said yes to everything, trusting that I’d one day get there and everything would work itself out. I didn’t turn down jobs because it wasn’t my field or what I wanted or dreamed of right that minute or think I was above anything or anyone. I had no money. I never went to uni. I saved hard for a £5,000 journalism course, I then worked like a dog at local newspapers (still on minimum wage) and at a bookmaker at the same time doing 20 hour days for years just to keep grinding. I spent more hard years commuting to London and back, doing graveyard shifts at papers then waiting at Blackfriars station at 3 in the morning to get home to Sussex and start my other job at 9am. It nearly killed me. For years. 16 years it took me to get here. And you know what? I loved it all. I loved the journey, I loved the dark moments asking myself if it was all worth it. I loved the wins. I loved the hard lessons. And I love what I’m doing now. Yes I have the best job in the world (for me) and I’m incredibly grateful. And I’m still grinding. I’ve just done 14 days straight, travelling to Texas, Florida, then DC. Doing a three hour show every night. But I recognise how fortunate I am. I always have, even when I was stacking shelves. I didn’t just turn up at a studio and start presenting. Most importantly I never played the victim.