“I Wish I’d Kept Writing Songs”: Richard Wilkins Reveals the One Dream He Never Let Go After Nearly 40 Years on Television

“I Wish I’d Kept Writing Songs”: Richard Wilkins Reveals the One Dream He Never Let Go After 38 Years on TV

For almost four decades, Richard Wilkins has been one of Australia’s most recognisable television personalities.

But despite a career that has taken him to red carpets around the world and made him a household name, the Today entertainment editor has revealed there is one lifelong dream he still wonders about—and one decision he wishes he had made differently.

A Career Many Would Envy… But One Regret Still Remains

After 38 years with the Nine Network, Richard Wilkins says he has very few regrets.

Looking back on a career that began in 1987, the 70-year-old says he is immensely proud of everything he has achieved in television.

Yet there is one chapter he believes ended far too soon.

When asked what he would change if he had the chance, Wilkins admitted he wishes he had continued pursuing music instead of putting songwriting aside.

“I wish I’d kept writing songs because I thought some of them were starting to get quite good,” he reflected.

With characteristic optimism, he quickly added that perhaps the dream isn’t completely over.

“Well… it is never too late.”

Before Television, Richard Dreamed of Becoming a Pop Star

Long before becoming one of Australia’s best-known entertainment reporters, Wilkins imagined a very different future.

Born in New Zealand, he spent his early years performing in bands while also exploring acting, hoping music would become his full-time career.

Rather than interviewing famous musicians, he once dreamed of being one himself.

That ambition never completely disappeared—even after television opened doors he had never expected.

The Opportunity That Changed His Life Forever

Everything changed when Wilkins joined Nine in 1987 during the rapid rise of music television.

Landing a role with MTV proved to be the perfect combination of his love of music, performance and broadcasting.

“It was the right time, right place,” he said.

Although the opportunity ultimately led him down a different path than he had imagined, he says he has never regretted accepting it.

Instead of becoming a pop star, he built one of Australia’s longest and most successful careers in entertainment journalism.

Still Loving the Job After Nearly Four Decades

As he approaches an extraordinary 40 years with Nine, retirement appears to be the last thing on Wilkins’ mind.

Even after celebrating his 70th birthday in June, he says he cannot imagine life without work.

Alongside his long-running role on Today, Wilkins continues hosting weekend radio on Smooth FM while also expanding into new creative projects.

He is currently producing a feature film and plans to write a second book, following his 2011 memoir Black Ties, Red Carpets, Green Rooms.

For someone who once dreamed of standing on stage with a microphone, it seems creativity continues to drive everything he does.

The Passion for Entertainment Lives On in the Next Generation

The family’s connection to Australian entertainment is continuing through Richard’s son, Christian Wilkins.

Last year, Christian stepped onto one of Australia’s biggest music stages as a red-carpet host for the ARIA Awards, following a path that, while different, reflects the same passion for the entertainment industry.

For Richard, watching the next generation build its own career has become another rewarding chapter in a life spent in showbusiness.

Even a Television Veteran Isn’t Immune to Laughing at Himself

Despite his legendary status, Wilkins recently found himself at the centre of a light-hearted moment after comedian Akmal Saleh recounted an awkward encounter on The Project.

Akmal joked that Wilkins mistakenly believed he hosted Anh’s Brush With Fame, confusing him with comedian and artist Anh Do.

The story quickly became one of Australian television’s funniest recent anecdotes, with Akmal turning the mix-up into a series of self-deprecating jokes that left the audience laughing.

Rather than overshadowing Wilkins’ long career, the moment simply reminded viewers why he has remained such a familiar and good-natured presence on Australian television for decades.

The Dream That Never Completely Disappeared

Richard Wilkins has interviewed countless global superstars, walked thousands of red carpets and become one of Australia’s most trusted entertainment journalists.

Yet after nearly 40 years in front of the camera, it isn’t the interviews or television success he reflects on most.

Instead, it’s the songs he never finished writing—and the musical career that might have been.

And judging by his own words, a small part of him still believes that some dreams don’t come with an expiry date.