Paul Coia facts for kids

Paul Coia was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on June 19, 1955. He is a well-known 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 DJ in the late 1970s. He then became a TV announcer in the early 1980s. He has hosted many popular TV shows. These include 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 helps people around the world improve their communication skills. In November 2023, The Guardian newspaper recognized him. They named him one of ten people who changed UK television forever.

Early Life and First Steps in Broadcasting

Growing Up and School

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

Starting in Radio

Instead of dentistry, Paul decided to try broadcasting. He started as a presenter for hospital radio in December 1976. This was his very first step into the world of media. In June 1977, he got a job as a disc jockey at Radio Clyde. He began by hosting overnight shows on weekends. These shows were called Friday into Saturday Morning, Saturday into Sunday Morning, and Sunday into Monday Morning. Later, he hosted weekend shows like Children's Choice. Paul continued to work at Radio Clyde as a relief presenter for many years. He covered shows there throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.

Moving to Television

First TV Appearances

In 1979, Paul Coia made his first TV appearance. He was a guest on a popular kids' show in Scotland. This show was called Glen Michael's Cartoon Cavalcade. After this, he became a continuity announcer and newsreader for Scottish Television. One time, he dropped his script while on air. He kept going by making things up on the spot. Because of this, he was given his own summer TV series. It was called Hi Summer and started in 1980. In 1981, he got his own chat show, Meet Paul Coia.

Joining Channel 4 and BBC

In 1982, Paul joined Channel 4 when it first launched. He was the very first voice heard on the channel. This was a big moment in UK television history. Sometimes, viewers could even see him on screen before the channel closed down for the night. After Channel 4, he became a presenter for BBC1. He hosted their daytime show, Pebble Mill at One. He also presented BBC 2's 6:55. He took over from the actor David Soul on that show.

Hosting Game Shows and More

In 1987, Paul Coia hosted another chat show. This one was for Grampian Television and was called The Paul Coia Show. It was also shown on Scottish Television. He also hosted his first game show that year, called Split Second. In 1988, Paul became the host of the BBC game show Catchword. He hosted this popular show for many years.

Paul also worked with his wife, Debbie Greenwood. She was a former Miss Great Britain. They filled in for other presenters on shows like Gloria Hunniford's chat show on Five. They also hosted the weekend breakfast show on LBC radio for a year. Paul also covered shows alone for presenters like Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2. He hosted summer roadshows for the station too.

In 2002, Paul Coia created a quiz show for the BBC. It was called The Enemy Within.

Later Career in Radio and Coaching

Returning to Radio Clyde

In 2005, Paul Coia returned to Radio Clyde. He presented the weekday lunchtime show on Clyde 2. He covered for another presenter, Bill Smith, during the Easter holidays. A year later, Paul hosted Saturday afternoon shows. He covered for the Super Scoreboard show when the football season was off for the summer.

Other Radio Work

Paul was also a continuity announcer for ABC1. This was a digital TV channel that is no longer on air. He also worked on 102.2 Smooth Radio starting in February 2008. He hosted the Drivetime show there from December 2008 until the end of 2010. In April 2013, he became a Sunday morning presenter for BBC Radio Berkshire. On this show, he talked about religious topics and local news. In 2017, he started presenting cover shows for BBC Radio London.

On November 2, 2022, Paul Coia made a special return. It was exactly 40 years after he introduced the first program on Channel 4. He provided the continuity announcement for that day's episode of Countdown.

Coaching and Current Work

Besides broadcasting, Paul Coia also works as a Presentation and Media coach. He helps people improve how they speak and present themselves. He also hosts events and coaches business leaders in many countries. He still occasionally presents on Radio Jackie.

Awards and Recognition

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

Personal Life

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

TV Shows Paul Coia Has Hosted or Appeared On

• 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)