Paul Coia facts for kids

Paul Coia was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on June 19, 1955. He is a famous Scottish television presenter and continuity announcer. He made history as the very first voice heard on Channel 4 when it started in 1982. Paul began his career as a disc jockey (DJ) in the late 1970s. Later, he became an announcer. He has hosted many popular TV shows, like Pebble Mill at One and Catchword. Today, he still works in radio, covering shows for BBC Radio Berkshire and London's Radio Jackie. He also teaches people around the world how to communicate better. In 2023, The Guardian newspaper said he was one of ten people who changed UK TV forever.

Paul Coia's Early Life and Career Beginnings

Paul Coia was born in 1955, along with his twin brother, Gerard. He also has two younger siblings, Martin and Denise. Paul went to school at Merrylee Convent, John Ogilvie Hall, and St Aloysius' College. He then studied at the University of Glasgow and Paisley College of Technology (now University of the West of Scotland). He wanted to become a dentist, but his exam results were not high enough for that career.

Starting in Radio and TV

Instead of dentistry, Paul decided to work in broadcasting. He started as a presenter for hospital radio in December 1976. This is a radio station run by volunteers for patients in a hospital. In June 1977, he got a job as a disc jockey (DJ) at Radio Clyde. He hosted late-night shows on weekends. Later, he presented weekend shows like Children's Choice. Paul often returned to Radio Clyde as a guest presenter throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.

In 1979, Paul first appeared on TV. He was a guest on a popular Scottish kids' show called Glen Michael's Cartoon Cavalcade. After this, he became a continuity announcer and newsreader for Scottish Television. A continuity announcer introduces shows and tells viewers what's coming up next. One time, Paul dropped his script but kept talking without it. Because he was so good at speaking off-the-cuff, he was given his own summer show, Hi Summer, in 1980. In 1981, he got his own chat show called Meet Paul Coia.

Becoming a National TV Star

In 1982, Paul joined Channel 4 when it first started. He was the very first voice heard on the channel! It was unusual for announcers back then, but sometimes Paul would even appear on screen, especially before the channel closed down for the night. After this, he became a presenter for BBC1's daytime show, Pebble Mill at One. He also hosted BBC 2's 6:55, taking over from actor David Soul.

In 1987, Paul hosted another chat show, The Paul Coia Show, for Grampian Television. It was also shown on Scottish Television. He also hosted his first game show, Split Second. In 1988, Paul became the host of the BBC game show Catchword.

More Radio and TV Work

Paul sometimes filled in for other presenters. He even hosted a show with his wife, Debbie Greenwood, who used to be Miss Great Britain. They presented the weekend breakfast show on LBC radio together for a year. They also filled in for Derek and Ellen Jameson on BBC Radio 2. Paul also hosted shows on his own for Ken Bruce and Ed Stewart on Radio 2. He presented the station's summer roadshows. He also worked on BBC One’s The Holiday Show. In September 1992, he filled in for Jimmy Mack on Clyde 2's drivetime show. Paul also worked part-time for BBC Radio Scotland in the 2000s.

In 2002, Paul created a quiz show for the BBC called The Enemy Within. In 2005, he returned to Radio Clyde to host the weekday lunchtime show on Clyde 2. A year later, he hosted on Saturday afternoons.

Paul was also a continuity announcer for the digital channel ABC1, which is no longer on air. He has also been heard on 102.2 Smooth Radio since 2008. He hosted the Drivetime show there until 2010. In April 2013, he became a Sunday morning presenter for BBC Radio Berkshire. He talked about religious topics and local news. In 2017, he started presenting cover shows for BBC Radio London.

On November 2, 2022, exactly 40 years after he introduced the first show on Channel 4, Paul Coia made the continuity announcement for Countdown again. Paul also works as a coach, teaching people how to present and communicate well. He hosts events and coaches business leaders in many countries. He sometimes presents on Radio Jackie.

Paul has won several awards for his work. These include the Radio Industry Club’s Scottish Radio Presenter of the Year award. He also won Radio Personality of the Year and the Golden Rose of Montreaux (Rose D’Or) TV Awards. He was also a runner-up in the BBC’s Gillards and won a Webby award for corporate communication.

Paul Coia's Personal Life

Paul Coia lives in Kingston-upon-Thames, London. He lives with his wife, Debbie Greenwood. Debbie used to be Miss Great Britain and is also a presenter for QVC. They have two daughters. Paul also has a twin brother named Gerard, and a sister and brother, Denise and Martin, who are also twins.

Paul Coia's TV Shows

• Glen Michael's Cartoon Cavalcade (1979 Scottish TV)
• Hi Summer (1980 Scottish TV)
• Meet Paul Coia (1981 Scottish TV)
• Pebble Mill at One (1983–86)
• Six Fifty-five (1983)
• Zig Zag (BBC Schools programme) 1984–90
• Domesday Detectives (1986)
• The Paul Coia Show (Grampian TV. 1986–88)
• Split Second (1988)
• Catchword (1988–1995)
• Telethon '88, 90 & '92 – Host for Scotland.
• BBC Railwatch (1989) – Correspondent
• Rab C Nesbitt: "Holiday" (1990)
• Garden Party (1990–1991, BBC)
• Press Your Luck (1991–1992 HTV)
• Children in Need (1991–1992) – Host for Scotland.
• Spellbound (1994–1996, Sky One)
• Don't Drink the Water (1997)
• Heaven Knows (1997–98)
• Pull the Other One (1998)
• Flash in the Pan (1999)