Latest news with #MichaelUnderwood
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Presenter who was one of the most recognisable faces on TV quit for 'normal' job
Michael Underwood was a mainstay of children's TV in the 1990s and 2000s, presenting shows like Jungle Run, Ministry of Mayhem and Xchange A beloved figure in children's television during the late 90s and early 00s, took an unexpected turn when his presenting roles became scarce - he courageously decided to retrain and embark on a drastically different career path. Initially stumbling into the world of presenting after discovering a callout for audition tapes during his time at a radio station, Michael Underwood carved out a niche for himself, hosting a range of iconic kids' shows like Jungle Run and Ministry of Mayhem, as well as becoming a familiar face as an entertainment reporter for GMTV and Good Morning Britain. Beyond his presenting credentials, at age 39, Michael has also participated in high-profile reality shows such as Dancing on Ice, Celebrity MasterChef, and All Star Mr and Mrs with his partner, fellow presenter and Celebrity Big Brother star Angellica Bell. She too is known for her work with classic children's programmes like Xchange, 50/50, and That's Genius! He and Angellica lead a comparably ordinary life in their five-bedroom Victorian semi in Kingston-upon-Thames, London, with their son and daughter. However, when Michael's opportunities began to wane, he found himself at a crossroads. Speaking to The Mirror, he disclosed: "The phone stopped ringing. It's just not a nice place to be in. I needed to make a decision." "I thought you know what, I've got my teaching degree, I've got 20 years in broadcasting behind me, maybe I can take that skill set and put it to good use. Help build children's confidence, help them with their oracy, and their presenting skills. That's when I thought: 'Yeah, let's grab the bull by the horns and maybe take a step out into a different career'." He first took up a part-time drama teacher position at Surbiton High Boy's Prep School, peppering Year 4 classes with his broadcast experience, until he stepped up as a form teacher in 2019. Last September, with a full teaching degree under his belt, he embraced a full-time position at King's College School in Wimbledon. Reflecting on his earlier ambitions, he shared: "I never grew up wanting to be a television presenter, acting's what I loved but my family could never afford to send me to drama school." Recounting familial influences, he continued: "My mum was a nursery nurse, my sister was a nursery nurse, so working with children was in the family. It was my mum who actually said: 'Why don't you think of doing drama as a teaching degree, specialise in that and you've got something to fall back on if the acting doesn't work out.'".
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'I was one of the most recognisable faces on TV but I gave it all up to become a teacher'
A face many people grew up with on CBBC and CITV Michael Underwood left his life in front of camera to become a primary school teacher in South West London An icon of children's TV in the late 90s and early 00s Michael Underwood hosted many of the shows a generation grew up on but after work started to dry up he made the incredible decision to re-train and start a very different life. Having almost fallen into presenting after finding a call out for audition tapes while working at a radio station, Michael went on to host some classic kids' TV shows from Jungle Run to Ministry of Mayhem. But it wasn't just kids' TV, he was also a regular entertainment reporter for GMTV and Good Morning Britain. Aside from presenting, the 39-year-old appeared on some big reality shows, including Dancing on Ice, Celebrity MasterChef and All Star Mr and Mrs with his wife, presenter and Celebrity Big Brother star Angellica Bell, who also hosted classic children's shows such as Xchange, 50/50 and That's Genius!. The couple live a relatively normal life in a five-bedroom Victorian semi-detached house in Kingston-upon-Thames, London, with their two children, a son and daughter. But despite his success eventually the jobs dried up, he explained to The Mirror: "The phone stopped ringing. It's just not a nice place to be in. I needed to make a decision. "I thought you know what, I've got my teaching degree, I've got 20 years in broadcasting behind me, maybe I can take that skill set and put it to good use. Help build children's confidence, help them with their oracy, and their presenting skills. That's when I thought: 'Yeah, let's grab the bull by the horns and maybe take a step out into a different career'." He first began teaching part-time for two days a week at Surbiton High Boy's Prep School, teaching Year 4 drama. That was until 2019 when he moved into a role as a form teacher. But in September last year after completing his full teaching degree he moved into a full-time role at King's College School in Wimbledon. He added: "I never grew up wanting to be a television presenter, acting's what I loved but my family could never afford to send me to drama school. "My mum was a nursery nurse, my sister was a nursery nurse, so working with children was in the family. It was my mum who actually said: 'Why don't you think of doing drama as a teaching degree, specialise in that and you've got something to fall back on if the acting doesn't work out.'"
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Carolina man wins $1.16 million jackpot after playing $2 ticket: ‘Never thought in a million years this would happen'
ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — Michael Underwood, of Taylorsville, hit a $1.16 million jackpot on Saturday, according to an NC Education Lottery news release. 'I started shaking for about an hour,' he recalled. 'I was in disbelief.' North Carolina man wins $2 million after buying lottery ticket at gas station Underwood played a $2 ticket and won the top level gold jackpot in the Multiplier Mania game, which is a digital instant game featuring a progressive jackpot that can be won at any time. The odds of that win are 1 in 20 million. 'I never thought in a million years this would happen,' he said. Underwood's big win represents the second largest win since the lottery introduced digital instants. He called his son right away to tell him the good news. 'My son thought it was an April Fools' Day joke,' Underwood said. 'He had to check to make sure it wasn't April yet.' Underwood claimed his prize Thursday at lottery headquarters. After required federal and state tax withholdings, he took home $836,957. He plans to invest his winnings. Watch lottery drawings on FOX8! Mega Millions airs at 11 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday. Powerball airs at 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The NC Lottery airs at 11:22 p.m. every night. You can also find the lottery results online on the FOX8 website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alexander County man wins $1.16M jackpot, plans to invest
Michael Underwood, of Taylorsville, won a $1.16 million jackpot on Saturday while playing the Multiplier Mania digital instant game, officials with the N.C. Education Lottery announced on Friday. Woman chooses dates from family birthdays on lottery ticket, wins $120K Underwood, who purchased a $2 ticket, hit the top-level 'gold jackpot' in the game, which features a progressive jackpot that can be won at any time. The odds of winning such a prize are 1 in 20 million. 'I started shaking for about an hour,' Underwood recalled. 'I was in disbelief.' Underwood's win is the second largest since the lottery introduced digital instant games. After realizing his win, he immediately called his son to share the news. 'My son thought it was an April Fools' Day joke,' Underwood laughed. 'He had to check to make sure it wasn't April yet.' Underwood claimed his prize at lottery headquarters on Thursday. After federal and state tax withholdings, he received $836,957. He plans to invest his winnings, although specific details about his investment plans were not disclosed. Underwood's unexpected win marks a significant moment in his life, as he navigates the possibilities opened by his newfound fortune. VIDEO: Gastonia dad wins lottery, uses winnings to buy family home
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Shaking for about an hour.' Taylorsville man wins $1.1 million lottery jackpot
TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Michael Underwood woke up Saturday morning with a plan to relax and play the lottery, but he couldn't relax for long after hitting a jackpot. The Taylorsville man won a $1.16 million prize. 'I started shaking for about an hour,' he recalled. 'I was in disbelief.' Underwood played a $2 ticket and won the top-level 'gold jackpot' in the Multiplier Mania game, a Digital Instant game featuring a progressive jackpot that can be won at any time. The odds of that win are one-in-20 million. Here's why a burn ban is in place for the Charlotte area 'I never thought in a million years this would happen,' he said. Underwood's big win represents the second largest win since the lottery introduced Digital Instants. He called his son right away to tell him the good news. 'My son thought it was an April Fools' Day joke,' Underwood laughed. 'He had to check to make sure it wasn't April yet.' Underwood claimed his prize Thursday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh and, after required federal and state tax withholdings, took home $836,957. He plans to invest his winnings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
