Local TV Personality joins students at Graduation

Broadcasting legend, Michael Underwood, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Northampton at this year’s Summer Graduation Ceremonies.

Not for the first time, Northampton born, Michael took take to the stage at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton this week. He joined thousands of Northampton students as they received their degree certificates and celebrated the end of their studies.

Having grown up in the town, Michael is no stranger to treading the boards at the Royal & Derngate. Michael went to school at the Weston Favell Academy, and began drama classes on a Saturday morning, as a child he starred in productions such as Oliver and knew he wanted a career as an actor.

Michael headed to the coast for University and after graduating with a degree from Plymouth University, Michael returned and began his career at BBC Radio Northampton where he cut his broadcasting teeth working as a researcher for the station. It was here that he spotted an ad looking for a new children’s TV presenter which would start him on the road to be a household name.

After a successful application, he appeared on the BBC One Saturday night show Whatever You Want, where he won a six-week presenting job on CBBC. Michael stayed at CBBC for three years, honing his skills on live television providing the links, games and entertainment between the programmes.

Michael then switched channels to CITV where he went on to present the hugely popular Jungle Run, Eliminator and The Big Bang before joining ITV’s flagship Saturday morning show Ministry of Mayhem.

During this time Michael interviewed many A-list stars including Will Smith and Tom Hanks. It was then time for Michael to step away from Children’s TV and took the role of showbiz reporter and co-presenter on GMTV’s Entertainment Today. Michael also headed down under to cover I’m a Celebrity, Get me out of Here!

Since then, you’ll have seen Michael hosting the National Television Awards, British Soap Awards and has appeared on Celebrity Masterchef, Celebrity Dancing on Ice and much more.

Watch our video interview with Michael.