Hamish Blake: ‘The stories I tell would not be suitable for our show!’

Hamish Blake has a new baby in his life. No, his wife Zoe hasn’t given birth to their second child (yet!) - he’s about to launch a brand new show, True Story with Hamish & Andy. The Gold Logie winner is full of enthusiasm about the unique concept, which sees members of the public spend 30 minutes with the duo to tell their stories, complete with dramatised scenes and a whole lot of personality.

Sounds simple; but it’s fascinating.

Hamish and Andy came up with the concept for the show simply by listening to their friends’ stories. They realised that they wanted to make a show out of one of the greatest things in life - storytelling. Hamish spoke exclusively to 9Honey about the show, and the inspiration behind the original idea.

“It’s a very human thing - sharing stories is one of our most basic things,” he explained. “We all have similar anxieties and trials and tribulations, and it’s a pretty Australian thing I think to try and find the humour in the situation.

“We wanted to be a place that celebrates the story, we’re certainly not there to grill anyone. Nothing has a tragic ending or anything like that, there’s enough of that on TV. “

Humour and stories? Sounds like classic Hamish & Andy - in other words, a sure-fire hit.

The first episode sees Rachel, a bubbly and warm-hearted mother who always puts family first – despite the fact that they land her in all kinds of trouble! Rachel, husband Mark and her two children go for the dinner from hell with a high-ranking government official in Hong Kong. Luckily, she can look back and see the funny side, just as Australia will when her story airs next week.

When asked if Hamish’s adorable son, Sonny has ever landed him in a similar situation, he sounds pleased that the three year-old hasn’t quite warranted his own TV tale, but “I’ve got plenty of time. He’s got a lot of years left in him. I’m sure he’ll give us that sort of content!”

As long-time friends and co-workers, Hamish & Andy surely have plenty of their own. Did the presenters ever consider telling their own tales?

“I think all the stories that I tell would not be suitable for a 7:30 time slot! Certainly the stories that I would be telling about Andy would not be suitable for a 7:30 time slot!”

“If Channel Nine will let us, there’s an 11 o’ clock version of this that’s just raring to go.”

We are so ready.

True Story with Hamish & Andy premieres Monday, June 5 at 7:30pm on Channel Nine.