At the age of 13 I was achieving good grades at a very strict all boys grammar school in York, so when I told my careers advisor I wanted to be a TV presenter she pretty much laughed in my face and in a patronising tone said that I really needed to think about a “proper career”. I decided there and then to prove her wrong, but continued to work hard on my exams and went to university.

Shaun Ryan

After graduating in London I was riddled with debt, couldn’t get a full-time job and took whatever work I could get including “highlights” of giving out leaflets in Leicester Square and cleaning toilets at one point. However I still had my presenting dream and every penny I earned went towards hiring cameras, making showreels, and sending hundreds of tapes out to TV companies. Most of my tapes were sent back and I was constantly disappointed. It seems ridiculous now but I remember at the age of 25 thinking I was washed up and too old to get a TV job! However persistence really did pay off and slowly but surely I started to get presenting work including stints as the warm-up artist on Top of the Pops and fronting Capital Radio live roadshows amongst other things.

I then landed a small guest presenting job on another shopping channel. I was instantly hooked on the live buzz of shopping TV, which led me to landing a full time trainee presenter role at Ideal World. That was over 14 years ago and I am now one of the most experienced members of the team and the only original presenter still employed, so I guess I’m doing something right!

Know what you want to present

The industry is full of talented, ambitious people so you need to find your individual strengths in order to stand out above the intense competition. The earlier you work out what area you want to present in the better, whether it’s sport, kid’s TV or breaking news - it’s great to have a passion you can throw yourself behind. It doesn’t mean you have to be tied into that particular genre your whole career (just look at Jake Humphrey who made the leap from CBBC to the face of Formula One) as TV presenting skills are transferrable, but it does help to have some focus or at least a couple of areas of interest.

In my role I have to present all types of shows including fashion, beauty, tech, DIY, kitchen, gardening- even cruise holidays (that’s not too hard as I love them), but I make sure I know whatever products I’m selling inside out and bring as much personal experience to the show as possible.

Shaun Ryan

Learn from the best

As a teenager I religiously watched and learned from other TV presenters. Phillip Schofield was my favourite and I still think he is brilliant today, he really is the utmost professional and so easy to watch. Watching the type of television you’d one day like to present is also invaluable.

As with every other industry, work experience can also help you land your dream job so try to get voluntary work anywhere you can in areas like local TV stations or even hospital radio. You may end up spending the whole week making teas and coffees and doing sandwich runs but you’ll get some great behind-the-scene experience. You could also make some invaluable contacts and maybe get a foot in the door.

One of our current presenters Joanne started off in customer services in our call centre – how’s that for progression?

Practice makes perfect

When I first started to work in shopping TV I used to spend hours walking round the house, picking up random objects, and talking about them to an invisible camera. Not only did this help me learn how to think on my feet but it gave me experience in talking about a huge variety of content.

Sometimes I would do this in front of my family and friends who would have to endure hours of me talking to them about anything from the hallway mat, to a lampshade or cheese grater! It does take a certain skill to be able to make a door mat sound like something new and exciting but practice really does make perfect!

Record yourself often

As much as your family and friends might love listening to you practice there is nothing better than recording yourself frequently and watching yourself back. I mentioned earlier how I would have to save up for months hiring cameras but nowadays its so easy with iPads and smart phones to be able to film yourself constantly. Being critical and watching yourself back can feel a bit tough at first but it’s the best way to improve and gain confidence and familiarity in front of the lens. I still cringe sometimes now when I watch a show of mine back and I’ve being presenting 14 years!

Shaun Ryan is a TV presenter on Ideal World TV. Don't miss the Bank Holiday Bonanza for exclusive sales, free P&P and other great deals up until August 25.