GRANT DENYER ‘I’M NOT A NICE GUY!’
He’s arguably one of Australia’s most popular talents, but that doesn’t mean Grant Denyer doesn’t have a naughty side – which comes out in his latest role as host of Game Of Games.
What attracted you to Game Of Games?
It’s an Ellen Degeneres format and she is a TV idol of mine. I love her style of television and I know she’s a lunatic like myself! She loves making wonderful, silly television and this show is exactly that! It’s big, it’s shiny, it’s brand new and it’s unique, like nothing this country has ever seen before.
Contestants are put through some pretty extreme obstacles on the show... what’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done for money?
It was bet by a friend that I wouldn’t get the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest bungee jump. I ended up accepting the challenge and did it live on television! That was the most extreme thing I’ve ever done. The record was 150 metres and I did 300 metres out of a helicopter over Bondi Beach. It was insane and I’m not sure why I had to double the record… 10 metres [more] would have been just fine!
Did you have a go at any of the obstacles?
Production wouldn’t let me! Ultimately, I’m the one who decides the contestant’s fate, I’m the one who is pushing the button that opens the trap door or pulling a lever that drops them from the sky. It brought out this sinister side in me that I never knew existed! People think I’m a nice guy but it turns out I’m not!
How does it feel to be hot property in such a cut-throat industry?
I’m pretty lucky to have a job like this, and I’ve been doing it for 20 years now, so I treat every job as if it were my last. I have fun with it and bring a good work ethic to set. And I’m nice to the people around me because they work way harder than me on making the show a success! GAME OF GAMES Sunday, 7.30pm, TEN