By NAOMI LARKIN
TV3 news presenter John Campbell looks like the frontrunner for a coveted radio role as host of Top o' the Morning.
Campbell told the Herald last night that he had not been offered a formal contract for the top-rating Saturday morning show, but was feeling positive about his chances.
"I have not signed a contract yet with Radio New Zealand. I know I am in the running for the job and I would really love to get it. I would be really stoked.
"But the deal is not yet done."
Campbell said that after his audition for the role a couple of weeks ago, he knew he had made the short-list of contenders.
"They regarded my audition as pretty useful, I think."
He had since had discussions with "a few people" from RNZ, but money was not discussed.
Top o' the Morning has an audience of around 340,000, and its last presenter, Brian Edwards, was paid more than $120,000 a year for the one-morning-a-week role.
Edwards has been off the air since December 18 after falling out with RNZ chief executive Sharon Crosbie. She had labelled his efforts "dull and predictable."
Campbell said his application for the job included a programme proposal which was "reasonably radical."
"It was going to go either way, and I think they liked it."
However, Campbell was unwilling to say what changes he had suggested.
Sharon Crosbie yesterday refused to comment on "speculation" over who had won the timeslot. The appointment would be announced next week.
Campbell, who began his journalistic career as a reporter for RNZ, said there would be no conflict of interest between his newsreading job and hosting Top o' the Morning.
His application was made with the blessing of TV3 heads.
It is understood that around 40 people applied for the radio job, including TVNZ presenter Liz Gunn, who withdrew last month, and 60 Minutes reporter Cameron Bennett.
Television personality Gary McCormick, who has been presenting the programme on a short-term contract since Edwards' exit, was also fighting for the job.
Campbell once filled in for Edwards on Top o' the Morning and will be hosting RNZ personality Kim Hill's 9 am-to-noon slot next week.
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