He’s the New Zealand-born entertainment journalist that graces our screens as one of the hosts of the Today show.
And on Wednesday’s program, Richard Wilkins confessed that he used to drink then race his friends home when he was a teen in his hometown of Palmerstown.
‘I’m not proud to admit that,’ the 63-year-old said of his antics as a young man.
‘I’m not proud to admit’: Today show’s Richard Wilkins, 63, confessed to drinking and racing his friends home as a teen in New Zealand on Wednesday’s program
The topic of alcohol arose on Wednesday’s episode as recent surveys have revealed that the youth of today consider getting drunk ‘uncool’.
Speaking of clean-living millennials, Richard said on-air: ‘I think the people of today are far more responsible with their alcohol by and large than we were in our generation.
‘Growing up in Palmerstown in the north of New Zealand, we used to have a few drinks and race each other home.
‘You know, I’m not proud to admit that. There were a few casualties along the way,’ the veteran reporter went on to say.
Candid comments: ‘Growing up in Palmerstown in the north of New Zealand, we used to have a few drinks and race each other home,’ the veteran reporter shared on-air
Reflection: ‘You know, I’m not proud to admit that. There were a few casualties along the way,’ Richard went on to say
As an insider in the entertainment industry, Richard certainly has many stories to tell.
A reporter for more than 30 years, the television personality has spent time backstage with the world’s biggest musicians and pop stars.
Earlier this month, Richard revealed in the Sunday Telegraph’s Confidential that Australian band INXS lived up to their name in true rock star style.
‘It was always a who’s who backstage: actors, models, beautiful people, Kylie (Minogue), Nick Cave, Bono, the Duran Duran boys, you name it, they were there,’ he told the publication.
Insider: A reporter for more than 30 years, the television personality has spent time backstage with the world’s biggest musicians and pop stars
Sharing details: Earlier this month, Richard revealed in the Sunday Telegraph’s Confidential that Australian band INXS lived up to their name in true rock star style
‘They didn’t call themselves INXS for nothing,’ Richard added.
And years later, Richard has still been rubbing shoulders with those at the top of their game.
He said of his time with boy band One Direction: ‘The guys had a police escort to and from the stadium…
‘Before returning to the hotel for a drink, a chat and a catch up and often a late night recording session. Those guys seriously could not go anywhere.’
Life in the fast lane: ‘They didn’t call themselves INXS for nothing,’ Richard said of the music group