Weekend Spy - Job Spec: James Dearlove

Each week we'll be asking people from all parts of the media industry - from channel controllers to catering staff, directors to digital technicians - to tell us about themselves and their job.

This week it's the turn of James Dearlove, head of celebrity talent at MTV Networks International, and right now the man talent managing the upcoming Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards UK, which London will host for the first time on Saturday October 20.

Name
James Dearlove

Title
Director of Dearlove Malone Talent.

Age
36

Lives
South London

Responsibilities
Just formed new company... Came from MTV where was head of celebrity talent for three years. I book international and UK celebrities for all types of media content.

Best thing about your job
Working with talented colleagues/directors/producers.

Worst thing about your job
Having to make all your work calls on LA time (ie at night).

First thing in the morning
Get through my emails and browse entertainment sections in newspapers and online.

What question have you been asked most this week?
Who have you booked?

What qualities do you need to do your job?
Best type of booker is a calm, logical, practical person who is not that bothered by the cult of celebrity.

Have you ever worked with a celebrity and thought 'Never again!'?
I have never had any cause not to work with a celebrity again. All sorts of things happen under the pressure of being on live TV, but its unfair to hold that against anyone.

Who has been your favourite celebrity to work with?
Angelina Jolie was lovely to work with. Pateint, charming and funny.

Any downsides to working in the media?
No downside to working in the media. Just can't moan about it.

First media job
Operating the camera in a casting studio. Very first casting was for Chicken Tonight! Oh yes!

Biggest achievement to date
Booking David and Victoria Beckham to present an award together to Colin Farrell on the MTV Movie Awards - when they turned in matching white outfits and diamonds.

Anything you wished you'd done differently?
I wouldn't have a changed a thing. Life is random and you just jave to let it come at you and take advantage of opportunities as they come.

Dream job/company/lifestyle
Running my own company, so let's see what happens!!!

Best media jolly you've ever attended
Has to be the MTV Party in Cannes. The last one was at Pierre Cardin's bubble house where the great and the good of the movie industry partied on the cliff-top bubbles and terraces looking out across The Med. Just amazing!

The first Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards UK will be held on Saturday October 20 in London.