News

Summer 2008

Hello Opal-Lovers (and those that are indifferent),

The summer has officially started but I’ve been too busy working to appreciate the sunshine. Boo!

Rush to the shops; one of my magazine articles is out NOW in The Vegetarian Magazine. A few weeks ago, I went to the New You Boot Camp. Seven days at an army style fitness centre might not be your idea of a holiday; and you’d be right. It was UNBELIVABLY difficult as we trained hard every hour until bedtime. On my last day I was in the strange state of wanting to collapse dramatically yet feeling I was some kind of Devonshire Lucy Liu. Seeing all those hours of exertion through was rather satisfying and it’s easy to be smug when you’re a whole dress size smaller. Although I wanted to eat my own hand at times (we were detoxing); I’d recommend it if you need to get fit or lose weight in a short amount of time. I’ve written a double page piece on my experience in The Vegetarian Magazine; where you can also check out the fabulously unflattering photos of me working out!

Xtrax is another magazine I’m in this month, this time with the beau. We were invited to the Music Radio Awards at the O2. We weren’t nominated anything (surely a mistake?) so we got stuck into the free bar and watched the live acts. Amongst others, we saw Gary Barlow (as small as a hobbit), Sharleen Spiteri (as small as a £2 coin) and David Jordan (as small as an iPod. The Nano one). It seems being tiny is the new black. It was a grand night out that cost me nothing but a hangover. The photos are in the magazine which is out now.

L.B.C is London’s number one talk radio station and broadcasts to over 10 million around the U.K. I was a guest on the weekend breakfast show and reviewed the papers, then got stuck into the show; debating the fuel crisis, the Irish referendum and what those pesky royals have been up to (frolicking naked in a field; go Princess Eug!). It was nice to show I can discuss more serious topics when required!

As well as a spot of talk radio, I thought I’d go and do some music jocking too. For the three year anniversary, I went back to Radio London. Not only did I hijack the drive time show but ended up staying all weekend! Be very careful if you invite me over... It was bizarre to be back at the infamous Big L house but it meant I got to have an uproarious dinner with various radio legends. I’ll be seeing some of them again when I go to the Radio Luxembourg reunion in August!

Lastly, I have a new showreel. I feel it could rival anything Spielberg has come up with, but I may be a little bit biased... It’s a small selection of T.V. work I’ve done and shows a little of my personality! Watch it in the clips section of the site.

More soon,

Opal x

Spring 2008

Hello Everyone,

I've decided to start writing the updates myself from now on; so I can be the first person to let you know all the gossip!

Speaking of gossip; I now have my own newspaper column every week! It will feature all the latest on celebrity news and scandal. It appears every Wednesday on the entertainment page. I also write for the Art and Culture page; reviewing and recommending books. The Epoch Times is a London broadsheet and for those of you who live outside the capital, you can make sure you don't miss out by subscribing here: http://en.epochtimes.com/subscribe.html


I was back on the radio again, this time with my friend James Max on talkSport 1053 - 1089 AM. It was fantastic fun to be back on air and I had a great time talking to the callers and doing the newspaper review. I hope to do alot more on-air appearances this year!

You can still catch me presenting every week on Gala TV channel 841 from 6pm. The show is totally live, so we love it when you get involved!

In January, I was amazed to be invited to the Swiss Embassy to meet the Swiss Ambassador! It was a complete honour and I met some lovely people. The evening ended with a fantastic exclusive concert at The Wigmore Hall.

The website is going to be completly updated very soon. Not only will it have a new look, but I will have new photos up in the gallery. I'll let you know when to check back!

This year, I'm doing various writing projects. I can't tell you too much right now but it's all very exciting and when I can, I'll put the details up!

That's all for now; but keep checking back for all the latest news as the updates will be regular!

Lots of love,

Opal

Opal's reaction to Harvey Goldsmith Get Your Act Together (Channel 4 / E4)
This week Channel 4 are to air a documentary about Big L in their new series 'Get Your Act Together'. Legendary Live Aid and Live 8 promotor Harvey Goldsmith is on a mission to help revive the fortunes of six entertainment businesses in desperate need of a boost, and set them back on the path to the big time.

Tune in to watch the documentary and hear Opal give her take as the only girl living in the BigL house at the time of filming and her reason for resigning from BigL Radio.

Get Your Act Together - Channel 4, 21:00, Tuesday 17th April 2007
Get Your Act Together: The Showdown, E4. 22:00 Tuesday 17th April 2007

Gala TV prepares launch
Gala TV, is the channel behind the hundreds of Gala Bingo halls you've seen up and down the country. Gala currently has around six million bingo members and Opal has spent the last month rehearsing for the launch of this exciting new channel. Opal will be one of the hosts of Gala TV, where she will be on three nights a week. The channel is expected to launch in the first week of October.

Opal broadcasts Europe
BigL 1395 this month boosted its AM signal so that millions across Europe can now tune in to London Calling, Opal's nightly show from 10pm monday to thursday. As well as being heard all over the UK, listeners can now tune in to London Calling in Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, France, Switzerland, Spain and Italy. All you need is a conventional radio tuned in to 1395 AM.

Rehearsals for new TV show
This month Opal has been hard at work rehearsing for a new live television show with Endemol West. The channel is due to be launched in the Autumn where Opal will be on three days a week.

Corporate travel correspondent
Jetting off around Europe, Opal has recently been given the opportunity to become a key travel correspondent for a new corporate podcast due for release early this Autumn. Her first assignment involved a trip to Stockholm, capital of the Baltic's, where she filed a destination report interviewing restrainers, members of the public and representatives of the leisure and travel industry in Sweden.

Her role as travel correspondent also involves conducting interviews with top members of the business aviation and travel industry on a regular basis.

Living Legends
With her specialty in celebrity gossip, Opal is delighted to have created a new feature on her radio show and subsequently a new podcast. In the past month, Opal has been busy exclusively interviewing celebrity legends from the film & music industry. Guests live on Opals' show have included Andy Williams, Bernard Manning, Uri Geller, Peter Falk, Richard Carpenter and the iconic Pete Townshend with his first live interview in fifteen years.

The interviews can be downloaded every week. Subscribe to Living Legends with Opal Bonfante for free in the podcast section of iTunes. With twenty interviews already in the can, Living Legends is set to be a regular live feature on Opal's radio show.

Who's a VIP
Pete Townshend of The Who gave Opal a live thirty minute interview as well as an unheard track from the upcoming new Who album, due out in September 2006. As Pete rarely gives interviews, Opal was mentioned and quoted across the world in articles in the likes of Music Industry Today, Mix666 and The Rock.

Pete's' interview with Opal, his first in fifteen years, proved so successful that he invited her to be his VIP guest during the Who's world tour. Joining him in Liverpool with a camera crew, Opal managed to film her day backstage chatting to Pete as he gave her a guided tour, before partying all night with the rest of the band. This footage may be released as a video podcast. Subscribe for free in the podcast section of iTunes.

To see a photo of Opal with Pete , visit www.myspace.com/opalbonfante

Finest Figures
With the Rajar and internet listener figures, the facts speak for themselves. On May 11th during Opals' exclusive Richard Carpenter interview, she smashed her own record she previously held for highest listener figures in the entire stations history. Since joining Big L, Opal has increased the listener figures in that time spot by more then 500%. This means she has more then quintupled the listenership for the London Calling evening show 10pm - 2am since the previous presenter.

Talent of tomorrow
Opal was featured in a Stars of Tomorrow radio feature. With Jumbo Radio presenter Tony Nugas, Opal co hosted a two hour show featuring a playlist of her all time favourite songs and was interviewed talking about her career and future aspirations. She was billed as a star of tomorrow and a talent to remember.

American Article
Ipod Traveller was featured in another best podcast list, this time for US newspaper, The Milwaukee Journal Sentienal. Opal was mentioned alongside the likes of Ricky Gervais and the BBC World Service and was described as being "addictively naughty".

Opal makes the headlines
As if you didn't already know, iPod Traveller is now officially one of the top ten podcasts in the world to download. Opal's travel show was featured in London's Evening Standard newspaper as a recommended podcast in their essential listening top ten guide.

Fun run done
After weeks of training and many blisters, the Big L Radio running team completed their mini marathon. They all walked away with individual medals as well as the group award for first team to cross the finish line. Donations are still pouring in but an early estimate is nearing the £1000 mark. The money will be donated to St Helena Hospice for Cancer patients. Many thanks to all those who sponsored Opal and her team.

Peter Torks to Opal
Opal was ecstatic to have achieved one of her life long ambitions this month, when she finally got the chance to interview the legendary Peter Tork from her favourite band, The Monkees. During the 30 minute interview for Big L Radio, Opal found her favourite Monkee to be most charming and a delight to talk to.
Download all of Opals' interviews by subscribing to Living Legends for free in the podcast section of iTunes.

Opal leads another info packed podcast!
London Photocast is the official podcast of the University of Westminster's 2006 Photography degree show in London and Opal has been asked to present a series of short interviews with the photographers. The programmes, recorded live from the Tate Modern represent one of the first projects of SE1 Media and set the standard for things to come.

Subscribe by pasting this feed into your favourite podcast reader:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/londonphotocast

If you have iTunes just click on this link and it will subscribe you like magic: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=146479154&s=143444

Running for charity
Opal is now in training for her big charity run coming up in May. We think she can go the distance, if you want to sponsor Opal, drop her an email to charityrun@iamopal.com.

Birthday wishes
Opal had a fantastic birthday and would like to thank everybody who sent cards and gifts to her.

Pyramids for present
To celebrate her birthday, Opal has taken a well earned break and has been sunning herself by the pyramids of Egypt. Scuba diving, camel rides and quad biking means she's making the most of her time off!
Bonfante the busy business girl!
SE1 Media is now a reality and Opal is proud to be a part of setting up Europe's first media business to specialise in video and audio podcasting. SE1 Media - experts in podcasting offer a range of production services and presenter-led programmes for those who want to give their customers that little bit more.

For more information visit SE1 Media's website at www.SE1media.com

Get an 'Eiffel' of Opal
Opal was thrilled to work with Eurostar on a Paris Special. She was sent to the French capital to do an exclusive report on what you can get up to in the most fashionable city in the world.

Voice-over for "One Railway"
Opal records a voice-over advert for One Railway. One Railway operate all train services to Essex, Cambridgeshire and North London from London Liverpool Street.

Fresh Start for 2006
After her Christmas break, Opal has decided that now is the time to move on from Your Destiny TV. She is looking forward to getting her teeth into challenging and fresh projects in the year ahead.

Hello London! Opal joins Radio London.
Opal is delighted to host her own show on Radio London, fondly known as Big L. Many radio legends such as John Peel, Kenny Everett and Tony Blackburn have passed through the doors. Radio London was the market leader in the 60's with an audience of 12 million giving artists such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and The Who their break.

Sky Digital 940, 1395 kHz on the AM or listen online www.bigl.co.uk
email her during her shows: studio@bigl.co.uk

New shows and new channels
October has been a busy month. You can see Opal regularly on Broadband UK, channel 666 - NTL's promotional channel.

Opal also has been filming for a new series 'Freaky' which will be shown on Channel Four next year. Getting back to her magic roots, she's back in sequins - assisting a midget magician for various illusions.

Opal goes over to the other side
Opal is currently presenting on Your Destiny - A Psychic world programme on all things paranormal. The show can be seen on Sky channel 694.

iPod Traveller goes live
A new and exciting project bringing Europe to your ears. Opal teams up with Guardian newspapers' budget travel expert Nick Hall to host a weekly broadcast. iPod Traveller is available as a free download or subscription from the iTunes Digital Music Store.

To compliment the weekly show, Opal has played a key part in helping build a comprehensive online travel portal at www.ipodtraveller.net where listeners can get more information on the topics covered in the show. In the first month listener figures topped 2,000 a week, before the official launch of the cast.