Chemistry Lessons

There’s a lot of mutual trust, support, affection and understanding between The AM Show co-hosts Duncan Garner and Amanda Gillies. Two years on from the launch of their show, the duo discuss success, career and what makes them tick

On success

DUNCAN: How did you define success when you were younger?

AMANDA: When I was a kid, success was being rich. Fancy houses, flash cars, overseas travel, designer clothes. Success for me now – at the ripe old age of 42 – is happiness, and being in a loving relationship. Also having good relationships with your family, with your girlfriends, at work, and having a job you love. Being happy and content, basically.

D: And that’s good for you, isn’t it? Because you haven’t always been so settled, and it’s always worried me a bit. Now you’re the settled one, and I’m not.

A: Yes, we’ve swapped. We’ve changed roles. But what about you, how did you define success when you were a kid? D: It was about winning. I was always very competitive. Doing the biggest bomb in your friend’s pool – I actually did okay in the bomb stakes, because of the body mass thing – and then scoring tries on the rugby field. I also remember running home from Birkenhead Primary School, I got third prize in the talent contest…

A: What was your talent?

D: I sang You Are My Sunshine while playing the ukulele. And I won a dollar, and I ran all the way home to Mum because I was so proud, but of course I told her I’d won, even though I got third.

A: Never let the truth get in the way of a good story… How’s that changed?

D: Nothing’s changed.

A: Winning, that’s still what defines success to you?

D: Well, it’s matured – against all odds. I mean look at our team at The AM Show – happy, you accept that?

A: Yeah, absolutely.