Maura Derrane, the new leading lady of afternoon TV, opens up to the RTÉ Guide's Janice Butler about going solo on her new show 'Four Live'.
Having your sister to do your hair and make-up must be any woman’s dream – free and fabulous pampering on-demand. So when Maura and Roisin Derrane come bustling into a clothes-filled dressing room, rollers in Maura’s hair, with Roisin dragging a suitcase full of cosmetic delights, it’s clear they’ve done this before. "So sorry we’re late", apologises Maura profusely. "I was in a meeting with my new production team." After an excited rummage through the clothes rail, Roisin (who Maura fondly refers to as ‘pigeon’) gets her sister ready for her close-up.
Brought on to 'The Afternoon Show' last year as one of a number of trial presenters, Maura seemed right at home on a show that has dominated afternoon viewing for years. Her down-to-earth attitude, fun nature and no-nonsense approach appeared to resonate with the viewing public.
Now, following a total revamp of the daytime schedule on RTÉ One (Maura’s new show will be followed by Dáithí Ó Sé and Claire Byrne with 'The Daily Show'), Maura is just a week away from presenting her own new afternoon show, 'Four Live' on RTÉ One, a challenge she is both nervous and excited about.
"I think it’s going to be hard, I’m hoping that people will still like me alone", she admits. "I was more nervous initially but now that the team is in place, my fear is turning into great excitement."
So how did she take the news? "I’d heard that 'The Afternoon Show' was no more and I was in that limbo stage where I didn’t know if I was going to be picked again for another show but that’s just how this business goes", she reveals honestly.
"Obviously, I was absolutely thrilled to get the call to say I was in the mix but then to be told you’re on your own – I was shocked!" she adds.
"I’m going to really miss Sheana but just because we’re separated on-screen, doesn’t mean we’re separated in life. We’ve become very good friends and I can see that friendship lasting. Sheana and I split up on-screen because other people decided that, it was nothing to do with the two of us. She was working on ‘The Afternoon Show’ for the guts of six years and it just came to a natural end. 'Four Live' is new and we both know that – she probably had enough of it anyway in the sense that she thought it was time for a change."
"I’m actually going out for dinner with her next week and we’re dying to catch up properly because I’ve only spoken to her on the phone."
What does she miss most about her former co-host? "I’ll just miss knowing she’s beside me on the couch. She’s very different to me, which I love – she’s so deep and meaningful and in love with the world and I’m a bit more cynical. She’s very Zen and I’m a hyperactive, crazy person.
"But there’s something I really love about talking down the barrel of a camera, I would actually rather it than talking to someone face to face – I find it soothing, maybe that’s my Zen!"
Maura also has nothing but kind words towards fellow Galway native Gráinne Seoige, who has recently been added to the new 'Daybreak' line-up on ITV.
"I’m thrilled for Gráinne. I think she wants a fresh start and this has come at the right time for her. She’s so gorgeous, you can turn down the sound on the TV and just look at her, she doesn’t have to say anything. I think it’s a big opportunity and she’ll never look back."
'Four Live' will resemble 'The Afternoon Show' insofar as it’s a 50-minute show filled with beauty, fashion, health and other lifestyle items, but Maura is adamant that she’s going to put her own stamp on it.
"It will be a different show. What we want to do with this show is give the audience a lot of tips, a lot of new information from hair colour to changing something in your house. I really believe that nowadays, people are cutting corners in their lives but they don’t want to compromise on quality and they need guidance. I think I’ll be able to bring more of my own personality to the show this year, because when you’re doing it alone you have to and I’m looking forward to letting loose a bit."
One thing that is concerning Maura after a summer touring the country with TG4’s 'Feirm Factor' is getting back in shape for the new season – although standing in an array of form-fitting clothes, it doesn’t look like the presenter has anything to worry about.
"I’ve put on a few pounds over the summer months, so I won’t be eating for about a week before the show starts", she laughs.
"I would be conscious of how I look on TV and I think as a woman you’re scrutinised more. But I think you have to be conscious of how you look, I think you need to look as good as you can and I know I can look better than this."
As Roisin applies the final strokes of scarlet lipstick to Maura, she has just enough time to outline her hopes for the show and herself.
"The Maura Show!" she laughs. "No, really, I think I’d better trot along slowly here, I’m not going to be demanding my name in lights anytime soon!"
"I really love interviewing people. I’m extremely nosey and I love to know everything about a person. If I meet someone on a bus I’ll know every detail of their life by the end of the journey – I just love hearing people’s stories. So yes, if you’re asking me down the road would I love a talk-type show like Oprah, yes absolutely I would."
Janice Butler
