Gemma Hunt: BA Hons Media Performance

Gemma Hunt

BA Hons Media Performance, 2003

"I am now a presenter on national children’s television channel CBBC."

Gemma Hunt has achieved her dream of becoming a presenter on children’s TV and she thanks Luton for helping her get there.

Experiences on her media course such as helping to run a live radio show at the University helped to get Gemma this exciting first job.

“I’ve interviewed Craig David and met my teen heart-throb Mark Owen! I’m invited to charity events and parties and have children asking for my autograph. It’s the kind of thing I’ve always dreamed of and I’m loving every minute,” said Gemma.

Gemma can’t praise her academic background enough: “I started at Luton in 2000 and had an amazing three years.

“I always wanted to be a presenter and had a pretty good CV in terms of acting and drama before starting at university.

“I chose my course because it meant I could put everything into practice and then learn the theory side of things too.”

During her second and third year, Gemma became involved in Luton FM, the annual student-produced radio station, which runs for a month.

Gemma co-presented a show called “A Fruity Pear” with a classmate on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and in 2002 took part in a series of “Variety Lunch Bunch” programmes.

“This was an amazing experience for me, to be a part of a live running radio station giving me an increasing thirst to be a part of the media industry, while experiencing a variety of media.”

Gemma’s big break came when she showed initiative after a talk given by a representative from an agency.

She decided to have a chat with the agency rep, who was impressed with her background in amateur dramatics and the fact she already had a showreel prepared. Gemma sent her showreel over and was then signed up to video and multi-media production company “Take 3”!

“I was put forward for an audition at the BBC and I’m now presenting on CBBC! It’s amazing!”

Interview took place in 2003.